EP2413063B1 - Slider clip and photovolatic structure mounting system - Google Patents
Slider clip and photovolatic structure mounting system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2413063B1 EP2413063B1 EP10190007.4A EP10190007A EP2413063B1 EP 2413063 B1 EP2413063 B1 EP 2413063B1 EP 10190007 A EP10190007 A EP 10190007A EP 2413063 B1 EP2413063 B1 EP 2413063B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- clip
- holding
- extension
- slider
- rail
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 22
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 11
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 241000282376 Panthera tigris Species 0.000 description 8
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000011900 installation process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- -1 such as Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910001335 Galvanized steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009970 fire resistant effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008397 galvanized steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000383 hazardous chemical Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009417 prefabrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
- F24S25/634—Clamps; Clips
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
- F24S25/12—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface using posts in combination with upper profiles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/40—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using plate-like mounting elements, e.g. profiled or corrugated plates; Plate-like module frames
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
- F24S25/632—Side connectors; Base connectors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
- F24S25/634—Clamps; Clips
- F24S25/636—Clamps; Clips clamping by screw-threaded elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
- H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
- H02S20/23—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
- F24S2025/014—Methods for installing support elements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S2025/80—Special profiles
- F24S2025/804—U-, C- or O-shaped; Hat profiles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
- Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/4935—Heat exchanger or boiler making
- Y10T29/49355—Solar energy device making
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49616—Structural member making
- Y10T29/49623—Static structure, e.g., a building component
- Y10T29/49625—Openwork, e.g., a truss, joist, frame, lattice-type or box beam
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49863—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part
- Y10T29/4987—Elastic joining of parts
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49863—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part
- Y10T29/49876—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part by snap fit
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49906—Metal deforming with nonmetallic bonding
Definitions
- Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems, and more particularly to a system and method for simplifying installation or PV structures at an installation site.
- PV photovoltaic
- Photovoltaic power generation systems arc currently constructed by installing a foundation system (typically a series of posts), a module structural support frame (typically brackets, tables or rails, and clips), and then mounting PV modules, also known as solar panels, to the support frame.
- the PV modules arc then grouped electrically together into PV strings, which are fed to an electric harness.
- the harness conveys electric power generated by the PV modules to an aggregation point and onward to electrical inverters.
- the invention consists in a clip according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 5.
- DE 202008009241 U1 discloses a device having a retaining profile and a sealing profile for board-shaped modules, preferably roof modules, and a multi-part frame comprising the retaining profile and the sealing profile.
- the mounting system comprises a support structure which can be mounted to support columns via an optional tilt table.
- the support structure comprises a plurality of parallel spaced beams and a plurality of parallel spaced rails that arc mounted perpendicular to the beams.
- Disclosed embodiments describe a collapsible support structure in which the rails are pivotally mounted to the beams. Rails are preassembled with slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures and allowing for easy slide in insertion of the photovoltaic structures into the slider clips. Rails can also be integrally formed with slider clips.
- the mounting system maximizes the use of prefabricated and preassembled components and reduces the on-site field labor costs associated with installing the PV structures. Described herein are also methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures using the mounting system and methods for manufacturing slider clips and a photovoltaic structure mounting system.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting system 300 with installed PV modules 100 in accordance with an example embodiment described herein.
- System 300 has a plurality of PV modules 1 00 mounted on a support structure 200.
- a prefabricated frameless PV module 100 is typically comprised of a top layer, a bottom layer, an array of PV cells positioned tightly between the top and bottom layers and ancillary elements such as a PV generator junction box.
- the PV cell can be a solar cell made of thin-film, silicon or any other material for capturing solar radiation and converting the solar radiation into direct current (DC).
- the front and back sheets are typically made of glass or other transparent material to provide structural support and protect the PV cells from environmental hazards. Since each PV cell.
- PV module 100 captures only a small amount of solar energy, multiple PV cells are electrically connected together to form a PV module 100.
- a plurality of PV modules 100 can be grouped together and installed on-site to achieve a desired voltage and current.
- the embodiment described herein applies to a PV module 100 with dimensions of approximately 48 in x 24 in, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified to support PV modules with other dimensions such as, for example, 24 in x 12 in and 48 in x 48 in.
- the PV module 100 is described as framcless, the various embodiments described herein can be adapted for framed PV modules as well.
- FIG. 2A is a top view of the PV module support structure 200.
- rails 220 and beams 210 are approximately 6.5 feet and 20 feet in length, respectively.
- Rails 220 are mounted on beams 210 at alternating distances of approximately 27.50 inches and 20,50 inches apart,
- white FIG. 2A illustrates a support structure 200 having ten rails 220 mounted on two beams 210, the embodiments are not so limited in the number of rails and beams.
- rails 220 and beams 210 can be manufactured for any length depending on the array size and size of the PV modules to be mounted.
- Support structure 200 includes a plurality of parallel spaced rails 220 pivotally connected to one or more parallel spaced beams 210 by fasteners 230, such as a rivet or any other suitable connector which allows rail rotation, at each point of intersection.
- FIG. 2A is a top view of support structure 200 arranged in an installation configuration whereby the rails 220 are approximately perpendicular to beams 210.
- Support structure 200 can collapse at the pivot points into a folded configuration in the manner shown in FIG. 2B .
- Support structure 200 can be collapsed by moving beams 210a and 210b relative to one another in opposite directions, as shown in FIG.
- the beams 210 in the FIG. 2A configuration are approximately parallel to each other and spaced further apart than the beams 210 in the folded configuration in the manner shown in FIG- 2B.
- a fully collapsed support structure 200 has significantly less volume than a support structure 200 in the installation configuration and is easier to transport to an installation site.
- support structure 200 Once support structure 200 is transported to the installation site, it can be expanded from the folded configuration shown in FIG. 2B to the configuration shown in FIG. 2A and then be mounted on tilt tables 320.
- PV modules 1 00 can be mounted to rails 220 when support structure 200 is in the installation configuration of FIG. 2A .
- rails 220 can alternatively be rigidly fastened to the beams 210 by fasteners 230 in the FIG. 2A configuration if a collapsible support structure is not desired or needed.
- FIG. 3A is a side view of beam 210 in accordance with a disclosed embodiment, Beam 210 has pre-punched holes 290 on the side for PV wire management. Preferably, three 0.375-24 roll thread or 3/8-24 rivnut holes 290 are prepunched in beam 210. A set of three holes 290 can be pre-punched at pro-determined internals on beam 210. During on-site installation, wires attached to PV module 100 can be mounted through the holes 290.
- FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of beam 210 without the fasteners 230.
- Beam 210 has a top-hat shaped cross-section formed of two J-shaped side walls extending downward perpendicularly from the top surface of beam 210.
- rail 220 has a recessed top surface 270 extending the length of the rail 220.
- Rail 220 also includes an opening or hole 275 in which a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attach rail 220 to beam 210.
- FIG. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of a rail 220 having a top mounting structure 272, side plates 274 extending downward perpendicularly from the sides of the top mounting structure 272 and base plates 276 extending outward perpendicularly from the bottom of side plates 274.
- Beams 210 in turn may be attached to and supported by tilt tables 320, which may be tilted at an angle ⁇ for achieving maximum total energy output for a given installation.
- the tilt tables 320 are mounted to support columns 310 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3E is a side view of a tilt table 320.
- Tilt table 320 includes a lower supporting portion 350 and an upper mounting portion 360 which can be tilted at installation.
- Lower supporting portion 350 has one or more openings or holes 370 configured for a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment to pass through to attach to a support column 310 ( FIG. 1 ).
- Tilt table 320 can be adjusted to a predetermined angle relative to the ground or any other support surface by tightening the fastener passing through hole 370 at the predetermined angle.
- Tilt table 320 also has an opening or hole 390 at a corner of lower supporting portion 350 in which a fastener, such as a bolt., screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attach tilt table 320 to beams 210.
- Tilt table 320 can optionally have a connector 380 extending upward, perpendicularly from an end of upper mounting portion 360.
- Connector 380 has an opening or hole 381 configured for a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment to pass through to secure the tilt table 320 to a beam 210 as shown in FIG. 1 ,
- the support columns, tilt tables, beams and rails can be made of a metal material, such as, galvanized steel or aluminum, or any other suitable material.
- the support structure 200 can be prefabricated and preassembled off-site, thereby reducing on-site field labor costs and simplifying the installation process.
- the support structure 200 is collapsible in the manner described above for easier transport to the installation site.
- the installation site preferably includes supporting columns 310 mounted into a support surface and tilt tables 320 attached to the support columns 310 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the beams 210 of support structure 200 are attached to the tilt tables 320 as described above.
- the support structure 200 can be mounted to other mounting surfaces such as building rods or sides instead of to tilt tables 320.
- rail 220 is prefabricated with slider clips 240, 250 and 260 for holding edge portions of PV modules 100.
- the distance between the centers of each pair of adjacent slider clips 240, 250 and 260 on a rail 220 is approximately 25.50 inches.
- the bottom surfaces of slider clips 240, 250 and 260 fit securely within the recessed area 270 ( FIG. 3C ) of rail 220.
- a top slider clip 240 is mounted at the top of rail 220 and a bottom slider clip 260 is mounted at the bottom of rail 220.
- Mounted between the top 240 and bottom 260 slider clips on rail 220 are one or more mid slider clips 250.
- the slider clips 240, 250 and 260 are prefabricated and preassembled on the support structure 200 off-site. Even though FIG.
- FIG. 2A shows that a mid slider clip 250 is mounted near every intersection of rail 220 and beam 210, it should be appreciated that a mid slider clip 250 can be mounted away from the intersection and multiple mid slider clips can be mounted on rail 220 between each pair of beams 210 depending on the dimensions and number of PV modules 100 to be installed along the rail 220.
- PV modules 100 can be mounted on a rail 220 using two adjacent pairs of preinstalled top 240 and mid 250 slider clips, two adjacent pairs of mid 250 and bottom 260 slider clips, or two adjacent pairs of mid 250 slider clips.
- PV modules 100 can be mounted on a rail 220 having only top 240 and bottom 260 slider clips, As explained in greater detail below, PV module 100 is mounted on the rail 220 by first sliding an edge portion of one end of the module 100 into, for example, a top slider clip 240. Next, the PV module 100 is laid down on the rail 220, Finally, the opposite edge of the module 100 is slid into the slider clip adjacent to the top slider clip 240, which can be a mid slider clip 250 or a bottom slider clip 260. Once all of the PV modules 100 are mounted, small gaps 330 and 340 may exist between adjacent PV modulus 100 as shown in FIG.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a top slider clip assembly 240 in accordance with an embodiment described herein.
- Top slider clip assembly 240 has a PV module (solar panel) holding clement 489 extending from one end of a support area 487.
- Top slider clip assembly 240 components include a S-shaped clip frame 400, a clip insert 420 and a fastening clement 450 for attaching the top slider clip assembly 240 to a rail 220.
- Clip frame 400 is preferably made of stainless steel or other corrosion resistant metals or hard materials.
- Clip insert 420 serves as an insulating material for a PV module 100 and operates to hold an edge portion of PV module 100 in place on a rail 220.
- Fastening element 450 attaches the clip assembly 240 to rail 220.
- FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective, view of clip frame 400
- FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of clip frame 400
- Clip frame 400 is formed as an integral structure
- the integral structure of clip frame 400 has a flat bottom extension 501 with an opening or hole in which a fastener 450, such as a bolt, screw, nul, rivet or other means or attachment can pass through to attach assembly 240 to rail 220.
- fastener 450 is a 0.25-20 socket bead cap bolt 451.
- Other elements such as a washer 452 and a gasket 453 may also be included in the fastening clement 450.
- the bolt 451 is preferably torqued to a minimum of 11.3 Nm (100 in-lbs) during pre-fabrication of the support structure 200.
- the tightening of the slider clips can be performed prior to arriving at the insulation site, thus, simplifying the on-site installation, especially of large-scale PV systems installations.
- an emboss layer 506 may cover at least a portion of the top surface of bottom extension 501.
- a vertical sidewall 503 of the S-shaped clip frame 400 connects the bottom extension 501 and a top extension 502.
- Top extension 502 extends from sidewall 503 in the opposite direction from the bottom extension 501. Protruding from the top surface of top extension 502 are at least two angled structures such as, for example, tiger teeth 504, for holding the clip insert 420 in place with the clip frame 400.
- the bottom extension 501 is approximately one inch long and two inches wide and the top extension 502 is approximately 1.25 inches long and two inches wide.
- the vertical sidewall 503 is preferably about 0.85 inch tall.
- the top extension 502 and sidewall 503 forms an angle ⁇ equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 84.1 degrees.
- the angle of the tiger teeth 504 in conjunction with the angle ⁇ of the top extension 502 operate to hold the clip insert 420 in place with the clip frame 400.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the top slider clip insert 420.
- Clip insert 420 has a flat middle section 600 that sits directly under the bottom extension 501 of clip frame 400. Extending from one end of the middle section 600 is a C-shaped holding element 610 for holding an edge portion of PV module 100. At the other end oJ the middle section 600 is a curved tail section 650.
- Clip insert 420 is preferably made of fire resistant silicone rubber, for example, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber. It should be appreciated that other types of rubber and insulating material may be used provided that the hardness of the material used preferably has a shore A durometer of between 50 and 70.
- EPDM Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
- the C-shaped holding element 610 has a substantially flat bottom section 611, a top section 612 and a vertical barrier 613 connecting the bottom section 611 and the top section 612 to form a channel for holding an edge portion of PV module 100.
- the vertical barrier 613 is preferably 0.73 inch tall.
- the bottom surface of top section 612 and the top surface of bottom section 611 are preferably surfaces which resist PV module movement, In this example embodiment, the surfaces are at least partially covered with angled teeth 615, which preferably run the width of sections 611 and 612. The teeth 615 are angled towards the barrier 613 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold the PV module 100 in place between sections 611 and 612.
- the PV module 100 will be installed at a tilt angle, its weight and the friction caused by the EPDM rubber also help to frictionally retain the PV module 100 in place.
- clip insert 420 is integrally connected to clip frame 400.
- the C-shaped holding element 610 ( FIG. 6A ) of clip insert. 420 fits snuggly within the area formed by the top extension 502 and the sidewall 503 ( FIG. 5B ) of clip frame 400.
- the top section 612 of clip insert 420 includes a curved element such as, for example, a hook clement 616, that is designed to engage with the tiger teeth 504 on the top extension 502 of the clip frame 400. Adhesives and other fastening means can be optionally added to secure the clip insert 420 to the clip frame 400.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a bottom slider clip assembly 260 in accordance with an embodiment described herein.
- Bottom slider clip assembly 260 shares similar features to top slider clip assembly 240.
- Clip assembly 260 has it PV module (solar panel) holding element 789 extending from one end of a support area 787.
- Clip assembly 260 components include a S-shaped clip frame 700, a clip insert 720 and fastening element 750 for attaching the bottom slider clip assembly 260 to a rail 220.
- Some clip assembly 260 components that are identical to clip assembly 240 components such as, for example, fastening clement 750 are not described below. The differences between clip assemblies 260 and 240 are explained in more detail below.
- FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of clip frame 700
- FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of clip frame 700
- Clip frame 700 is preferably made of the same material as clip frame 400.
- Clip frame 700 is formed as an integral structure. Similar to clip frame 400, the integral structure of clip frame 700 has a flat bottom extension 801 that extends from one end of sidewall 803.
- the bottom extension 801 has an opening or hole in which a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attach assembly 260 to rail 220.
- the top 802 and bottom 801 extensions of the bottom slider clip frame 700 are preferably shorter than the top 502 and bottom 501 extensions of the top slider-clip frame 400.
- the bottom extension 801 is approximately 0.81 inch long and two inches wide and the top extension 802 is approximately 0.48 inch long and two inches wide.
- Emboss layer 806 optionally covers at least a portion of the top surface of bottom extension 801 as shown in FIG. 8B .
- the top extension 802 and sidewall 803 forms an angle p equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 80.0 degrees.
- Protruding tiger teeth 804 located on the top surface of top extension 802 serves the same function as tiger teeth 504 of clip frame 400.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the bottom slider clip insert. 720.
- Clip insert 720 is preferably made of the same material as clip insert 420. Similar to clip insert 420, clip insert 720 has a flat middle section 900 that sits directly under the bottom extension 801 of clip frame 700. Extending from one end of the middle section 900 is a C-shaped holding element 910 for holding an edge portion of PV module 100. At the other end of the middle section 900 is a curved tail section 950.
- the C-shaped holding element 910 has a substantially flat bottom section 911, a top section 912 and a vertical barrier 913 connecting the bottom section 911 with the top section 912 to form a channel for frictionally holding an edge portion of PV module 100.
- the vertical barrier 913 is preferably 0.73 inch tall.
- the bottom section 911 is preferably shorter than the bottom section 611.
- the bottom surface of top section 912 and the top surface of bottom section 911 are preferably resistant to PV module movement.
- the surfaces, for example, may be partially covered with angled teeth 915.
- the teeth 915 preferably run the width and length of sections 911 and 912 and are angled towards the barrier 913 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold an edge portion of PV module 100 in place between sections 911 and 912,
- clip insert. 720 is integrally connected to clip frame 700.
- the C-shaped holding element 910 of clip insert 720 fits snuggly within the area formed by the top extension 802 and the sidewall 803 of clip frame 700.
- the top section 912 of clip insert 720 includes a curved element such as, for example, a hook element 916 that is designed to engage with the tiger teeth 804 on the top extension 802 of the clip frame 700.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of an example embodiment of mid slider clip assembly 250.
- Mid slider clip assembly 250 has two PV module holding elements 1088 and 1089, each extending from opposite ends of a common support area 1087 for frictionally holding an edge portion of a PV module 100.
- Holding element 1088 is similar to holding element 489 of clip assembly 240.
- Holding element 1089 is similar to holding element 789 of clip assembly 260.
- Mid slider clip assembly 250 components include a clip frame 1000, a clip insert. 1020 and fastening element 1050 for attaching the mid slider clip assembly 250 to rail 220.
- Fastening element 1050 is similar to fastening elements 450 and 750. The differences and similarities between assemblies 240, 260 and 250 are explained in more detail below.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the mid slider clip frame 1000.
- Clip frame 1000 is formed as an integral structure.
- the integral structure of clip frame 1000 is essentially the combination of the top slider clip frame 400 and the bottom slider clip frame 700 having a common bottom extension 1001.
- the common bottom extension 1001 has an opening or hole in which a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attach assembly 250 to rail 220.
- Emboss layer 1106 covers at least a portion of the top surface of the common bottom extension 1001.
- the common bottom extension 1001 has identical dimensions to the bottom extension 801 of clip frame 700.
- the common bottom extension 1001 can also have the same dimensions as the bottom extension 501 of clip frame 400. It should be appreciated that the width of the common bottom extension 1001 is preferably the same as extensions 801 and 501, but the length of the common bottom extension 1001 can be any arbitrary length.
- Extending perpendicularly from one end of the common bottom extension 1001 is sidewall 1503 and from the other end is sidewall 1803.
- the vertical sidewalls 1503 and 1803 are preferably about 0.85 inch tall.
- Sidewall 1503 has a top extension 1502 that extends perpendicularly from the top of sidewall 1503 and away from the common bottom extension 1001.
- sidewall 1803 has a top extension 1802 that extends perpendicularly from the top of sidewall 1803 and away from the common bottom extension 1001.
- the top extension 1802 is preferably shorter than the top extension 1502.
- the common bottom extension 1001, the sidewall 1503 and the top extension 1502 together form a S-shaped clip frame similar to the S-shaped top slider clip frame 400.
- top extensions 1502 and 1802 together form a S-shaped clip frame similar to the S-shaped bottom slider clip frame 700.
- the top surfaces of top extensions 1502 and 1802 include respectively protruding angled structures such as, for example, tiger teeth 1504 and 1804.
- Clip frame 1000 is preferably made of the same material as clip frames 400 and 700.
- the top extension 1502 and sidewall 1503 form an angle ⁇ equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 84.1 degrees.
- the top extension 1802 and sidewall 1803 form an angle ⁇ equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 80.0 degrees.
- the difference in angle ⁇ from angle ⁇ results in the height from the common bottom extension 1001 to the outer tip of the top extension 1502 to be relatively equal to the height from the common bottom extension 1001 to the outer tip of the top extension 1802. In this example embodiment, this height is roughly 0.69 inches.
- FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the mid slider clip insert 1020.
- Clip insert 1020 is preferably made of the same material as clip inserts 420 and 720. Similar to the clip inserts 420 and 720, clip insert 1020 has a flat middle section 1200 that sits directly under the common bottom extension 1001 of clip frame 1000. However, unlike the other clip inserts 420 and 720, the mid slider clip insert 1020 does not have a tail section. Rather, extending from one end of the middle section 1200 is a C-shaped holding clement 1261 and from the other end of the middle section 1200 is a C-shaped holding element 1291. Clip insert 1020 is designed to frictionally hold the edges of two PV modules 100-one in each of the C-shaped holding elements 1261 and 1291.
- the C-shaped holding element 1261 has a substantially flat bottom section 1211, a top section 1212 and a vertical barrier 1213 connecting the bottom section 1211 with the top section 1212 to form a channel for frictionally holding an edge portion of a PV module 100.
- the bottom surface of top section 1212 and the top surface of bottom section 1211 are resistant to PV module movement.
- the surfaces are at least partially covered with angled teeth 1215.
- the teeth 1215 preferably run the width of sections 1211 and 1212 and are angled towards the barrier 1213 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold an edge portion of PV module 100 in place between sections 1211 and 1212.
- the C-shaped holding element 1291 is like the C-shaped holding element 910 of the bottom slider clip insert 720.
- C-shaped holding element 1291 has a substantially flat bottom section 1221, a top section 1222 and a vertical barrier 1223 connecting the bottom section 1221 with the top section 1222 to form a channel for frictionally holding an edge portion of PV module 1 00.
- the bottom surface of top section 1222 and the top surface of bottom section 1221 arc surfaces which resist PV module movement.
- the surfaces are at least partially covered with angled teeth 1225.
- the teeth 1225 preferably run the width and length of sections 1221 and 1222 and are angled towards the barrier 1223 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold an edge portion of PV module 100 in place between sections 1221 and 1222.
- the bottom section 1221 is shorter than the bottom section 1211 similar to the difference in length between the bottom sections 611 and 911.
- the top section 1222 is shorter than the top section 1212.
- the C-shaped holding element 1291 will be referred to as the short end of the mid slider clip assembly 250 while the C-shaped holding element. 1261 will be referred to as the long end of the mid slider clip assembly 250.
- Clip assembly 240 has only a long end (i.e., holding element 610) while clip assembly 260 has only a short end (i.e., holding element 910).
- clip insert 1020 is integrally connected to clip frame 1000.
- the common bottom extension 1001 of clip frame 1000 is attached to the top surface of middle section 1200 and the C-shaped holding elements 1261 and 1291 fit snuggly within the respective area formed by the top extension 1502 and sidewall 1503 and the top extension 1 802 and sidewall 1803.
- the top sections 1212 and 1222 include respective curved elements such as, for example, hook elements 1216 and 1226, for engaging with respective tiger teeth 1504 and 1804.
- the mid slider clip assembly 250 is mounted on rail 220 such that its short end faces the PV module holding element 489 of the top slider clip assembly 240.
- the long end of mid slider clip assembly 250 then faces the PV module holding element 789 of the bottom slider clip assembly 260.
- the mid slider clip assembly 250 can be mounted on rail 220 in the opposite direction such that its long end faces towards the top of rail 220 and its short end faces the bottom of rail 220.
- the location of the slider clip assemblies 240 and 260 would have to be swapped such that the clip assembly 240 is now mounted on the bottom end of rail 220 and the clip assembly 260 is now mounted on the top end of rail 220.
- the significance of the mounting direction for clip assemblies 240, 250 and 260 will be explained in connection with FIG. 13 below.
- FIG. 13 illustrates a method for installing a plurality of PV structures on the prefabricated support structure 200 described above.
- FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate in process flow a method for installing a single PV structure on the support structure using top and mid slider clip assemblies in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Although the steps below arc described with respect to the PV module 100, it should be understood that the process applies to any kind of PV structure including the framed PV structure described below in connection with FIG. 16 .
- the prefabricated support structure 200 having preassembled slider clips is setup at an installation site.
- the PV modules 100 are mounted on the module rails 220 using slider clips 240, 250 and 260.
- a PV module 100 is selected for installing on the support structure 200 at step 1310.
- one end of the selected PV module 100 is slid into the long end of a clip assembly, such as, for example, C-shaped holding element 610 of the top slider clip assembly 240.
- the PV module 100 has to be slid far enough in section 610 such that at step 1330, the PV module 100 can be laid flat on rail 220 as shown in FIG. 14B .
- F1G F1G.
- step 14C the other end of the PV module 100 is then slid into the short end of an adjacent slider clip assembly, such as, for example, C-shaped holding element 1291 of mid slider clip assembly 250.
- the PV module 100 is thus frictionally held in place by the slider clips holding it.
- step 1350 a determination is made as to whether all PV modules 100 have been installed. The process ends if all PV modules 100 have been mounted. Otherwise, the process returns to step 1310 for the selection of the next PV module to install on rail 220.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of framed PV modules 100 supported by a common carrier structure 1500 in accordance with another disclosed embodiment.
- the carrier structure 1500 is a lightweight, cartridge-like PV module carrier structure that provides structural support, contains and supports an array of PV modules 1520a-h and enables their electrical connections.
- the carrier 1500 is approximately two inches thick and made of either synthetic or natural structural material, including, but not limited, to aluminum, rolled steel, or other metals and plastics.
- the PV modules 1520a-h (1520g is not shown) are each held in place by being snapped, clipped, or otherwise securely seated in a recessed area such as 1510g.
- the PV modules 1520a-h are preferably mounted in the carrier structure 1500 before transporting them to an installation site, so all that needs to be done at the installation site is to mount the carrier structure 1500 to a support structure. Although an array of eight PV modules 1520a-h is shown in FIG. 15 , it is understood that any number or arrangement of solar panels could be mounted on and supported by a carrier structure 1500. A pre-wired common bus or cable system for transmitting harvested solar electricity may be integral to the carrier structure 1500.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a support structure 1620 of a mounting system that can be used to install the carrier structure 1500.
- the mounting system can be constructed by installing the support structure 1620 comprising a plurality of parallel spaced beams 1610 mounted to support columns via tilt tables similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B .
- parallel spaced rails 1600 are mounted perpendicularly to beams 1610 using fasteners 1630.
- Prefabricated slider clips 1640, 1650 and 1660 are preassembled on rails 1600. It should be understood that slider clips 1640, 1650 and 1660 have substantially the same overall design as slider clips 240, 250 and 260, respectively.
- Slider clips 1640, 1650 and 1660 each frictionally hold an edge portion of the carrier structure 1500, which contains an array of PV modules 100 rather than a single PV module 100. Since the carrier structure 1500 is typically thicker and heavier than a frameless PV module, slider clips 1640, 1650 and 1660 each have a sidewall and a barrier sufficiently tall to hold an edge portion of the carrier structure 1500. Accordingly, each slider clip 1640, 1650 and 1660 will have a clip frame with a taller sidewall than sidewalls 503 and 803 and a clip insert with a taller barrier than barriers 613 and 913. Each slider clip 1640, 1 650 and 1660 optionally has a clip insert with a respectively longer C-shaped holding element so as to compensate for the wider and heavier carrier structure 1500.
- the process of installing, the carrier structure 1500 on the preassembled support structure 1620 is similar to the process of installing the PV module 100 on the support structure 200.
- the carrier structure 1500 is inserted into four adjacent pairs of slider clips.
- the carrier structure 1500 would be inserted into the long ends of four mid slider clip assemblies 1650a-d before being inserted into the short end of four adjacent mid slider clip assemblies 1650c-h.
- the slider clips are mounted on the beams 1610 such that a slider clip frictionally holds the carrier structure 1500 at approximately the center of each solar panel as shown in FIG. 16 .
- the embodiment is described with a set of eight slider slips holding a carrier structure 1500 having a 4 by 2 array of solar panels, it should be appreciated that, any number of slider clips can be used depending on the size and arrangement of the carrier structure.
- FIG. 17A illustrates a module rail 1700 with an integrated slider clip in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to rail 220, rail 1700 has a top plate 1710, side plates 1720 extending downward perpendicularly from the sides of top plate 1710 and base plates 1730 extending outward perpendicularly from the bottom of side plates 1720. Rail 1700 is also integrated with a top slider clip 1740, a mid slider clip 1750 and a bottom slider clip 1760.
- FIG. 17B illustrates an end view of rail 1700 at the cross section A-A'. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that slider clips 1740, 1750 and 1760 operate similarly to slider clip assemblies 240, 250 and 260, respectively.
- slider clips 1740, 1750 and 1760 arc formed integrally with rail 1700.
- Slider clips 1740, 1750 and 1760 can be manufactured using punch forming, press forming, or any other suitable metal forming technique.
- the clips can be formed into the material that forms the rail concurrent with or subsequent to forming the rail itself.
- a resilient material can optionally be added to the inside surfaces of the clips to engage with an edge portion of a PV structure.
- a clip insert made of a resilient rubber, for example, EPDM rubber can be attached to the inside surfaces of the clips as shown in FIG. 17C for the mid slider clip 1750 to hold the edge portion of a PV structure.
- rail 1700 can be used in a photovoltaic structure mounting system such is mounting system 300 by replacing rail 220 and clip assemblies 240, 250 and 260 with rail 1700. It should also be readily appreciated that the process of installing a PV module 100 on a mounting system using the clip integrated rail 1700 is similar to the installation process described in FIG. 13 in connection with the support structure 200. Furthermore, the process of installing a carrier structure 1500 on a mounting system using the clip integrated rail 1700 is similar to the installation process described above in connection with the support structure 1620.
- Disclosed embodiments substantially reduce labor costs associated with the fabrication of PV mounting systems and reduce the time required for on-site mounting of PV modules.
- the slider clips used in the disclosed PV mounting systems can be fully tightened to a prefabricated module rail or other surface in a controlled environment and shipped to an installation site for installation of the PV modules. Large numbers of PV modules can be mounted quickly on the support structure using the disclosed slider clips.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Description
- Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems, and more particularly to a system and method for simplifying installation or PV structures at an installation site.
- Photovoltaic power generation systems arc currently constructed by installing a foundation system (typically a series of posts), a module structural support frame (typically brackets, tables or rails, and clips), and then mounting PV modules, also known as solar panels, to the support frame. The PV modules arc then grouped electrically together into PV strings, which are fed to an electric harness. The harness conveys electric power generated by the PV modules to an aggregation point and onward to electrical inverters.
- Conventional methods and systems of mounting a PV module to a rail or other structural support frame typically uses four module edge clips with rubber inserts that must be screwed into the rail in the field in parallel with installing the module on the rail. These methods and systems require screwing the clip halfway down, setting the upper and lower PV modules associated with the clip in place, and final tightening of the clip screw to secure the module to the rail, This process of handling the clips, half way setting the clip, setting the PV modules and finally tightening the clips is slow and labor intensive.
- With innovations in PV cell efficiency quickly making PV-generated energy more cost-effective,, demand for large-scale PV system installations is growing. Such systems may have a row length of half a mile or more of installed PV modules. Accordingly, a simplified and cost effective system for PV module installation is needed.
- The invention consists in a clip according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 5.
-
DE 202008009241 U1 discloses a device having a retaining profile and a sealing profile for board-shaped modules, preferably roof modules, and a multi-part frame comprising the retaining profile and the sealing profile. -
-
FiG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting system with installed PV modules in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a PV module support structure in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 3A-B illustrate a beam of a PV module support structure in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FiGS. 3C-D illustrate a rail of a PV module support structure in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIG. 3E is a side view of a till table of a mounting system in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a top slider clip assembly in accordance with a disclosed embodiment, -
FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a top slider clip frame in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a top slider clip insert in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a bottom slider clip assembly in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a bottom slider clip frame in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. - FIGS- 9A-9B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a bottom slider clip insert in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.
-
FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a mid slider clip assembly in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a mid slider clip frame in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 12A- 12B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a mid slider clip insert in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. -
FIG. 13 illustrates a method for installing a plurality of PV structures in accordance with an embodiment described herein. -
FIGS, 14A-14C illustrate in process flow a method for installing a PV structure in accordance with an embodiment described herein. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of PV modules supported by a common carrier structure in accordance with another disclosed embodiment. -
FIG. 16 is a top view of a support structure with an installed PV structure in accordance with another disclosed embodiment. -
FIGS. 17A-C illustrate a module rail with an integrated slider clip in accordance with an embodiment described herein. - In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use them, and it is to be understood that structural, logical or procedural changes may be made to the specific embodiments disclosed.
- Described herein is a mounting system and slider clips that support simplified installation of photovoltaic (PV) structures. The mounting system comprises a support structure which can be mounted to support columns via an optional tilt table. The support structure comprises a plurality of parallel spaced beams and a plurality of parallel spaced rails that arc mounted perpendicular to the beams. Disclosed embodiments describe a collapsible support structure in which the rails are pivotally mounted to the beams. Rails are preassembled with slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures and allowing for easy slide in insertion of the photovoltaic structures into the slider clips. Rails can also be integrally formed with slider clips. The mounting system maximizes the use of prefabricated and preassembled components and reduces the on-site field labor costs associated with installing the PV structures. Described herein are also methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures using the mounting system and methods for manufacturing slider clips and a photovoltaic structure mounting system.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of amounting system 300 with installedPV modules 100 in accordance with an example embodiment described herein.System 300 has a plurality of PV modules 1 00 mounted on asupport structure 200. A prefabricatedframeless PV module 100 is typically comprised of a top layer, a bottom layer, an array of PV cells positioned tightly between the top and bottom layers and ancillary elements such as a PV generator junction box. The PV cell can be a solar cell made of thin-film, silicon or any other material for capturing solar radiation and converting the solar radiation into direct current (DC). The front and back sheets are typically made of glass or other transparent material to provide structural support and protect the PV cells from environmental hazards. Since each PV cell. captures only a small amount of solar energy, multiple PV cells are electrically connected together to form aPV module 100. A plurality ofPV modules 100 can be grouped together and installed on-site to achieve a desired voltage and current. Although the embodiment described herein applies to aPV module 100 with dimensions of approximately 48 in x 24 in, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified to support PV modules with other dimensions such as, for example, 24 in x 12 in and 48 in x 48 in. Also, although thePV module 100 is described as framcless, the various embodiments described herein can be adapted for framed PV modules as well. -
FIG. 2A is a top view of the PVmodule support structure 200. In this example embodiment, rails 220 andbeams 210 are approximately 6.5 feet and 20 feet in length, respectively.Rails 220 are mounted onbeams 210 at alternating distances of approximately 27.50 inches and 20,50 inches apart, It should be appreciated that whiteFIG. 2A illustrates asupport structure 200 having tenrails 220 mounted on twobeams 210, the embodiments are not so limited in the number of rails and beams. It should also be appreciated thatrails 220 andbeams 210 can be manufactured for any length depending on the array size and size of the PV modules to be mounted. -
Support structure 200 includes a plurality of parallel spacedrails 220 pivotally connected to one or more parallel spacedbeams 210 byfasteners 230, such as a rivet or any other suitable connector which allows rail rotation, at each point of intersection.FIG. 2A . is a top view ofsupport structure 200 arranged in an installation configuration whereby therails 220 are approximately perpendicular tobeams 210.Support structure 200 can collapse at the pivot points into a folded configuration in the manner shown inFIG. 2B .Support structure 200 can be collapsed by movingbeams FIG. 2B , such thatbeams rails 220 become substantially oblique to thebeams 210. Thebeams 210 in theFIG. 2A configuration are approximately parallel to each other and spaced further apart than thebeams 210 in the folded configuration in the manner shown in FIG- 2B. - A fully collapsed
support structure 200 has significantly less volume than asupport structure 200 in the installation configuration and is easier to transport to an installation site. Oncesupport structure 200 is transported to the installation site, it can be expanded from the folded configuration shown inFIG. 2B to the configuration shown inFIG. 2A and then be mounted on tilt tables 320. PV modules 1 00 can be mounted torails 220 whensupport structure 200 is in the installation configuration ofFIG. 2A . It should be understood that.rails 220 can alternatively be rigidly fastened to thebeams 210 byfasteners 230 in theFIG. 2A configuration if a collapsible support structure is not desired or needed. -
System 300 is constructed by installing thesupport structure 200 comprising a plurality of parallel spacedbeams 210 and a plurality of parallel spacedrails 220 mounted approximately perpendicular to thebeams 210.FIG. 3A is a side view ofbeam 210 in accordance with a disclosed embodiment,Beam 210 has pre-punchedholes 290 on the side for PV wire management. Preferably, three 0.375-24 roll thread or 3/8-24rivnut holes 290 are prepunched inbeam 210. A set of threeholes 290 can be pre-punched at pro-determined internals onbeam 210. During on-site installation, wires attached toPV module 100 can be mounted through theholes 290. In addition, holes 280 arc pre-punched on the side of thebeam 210 for attachment of thebeam 210 to a tilt table 320 (FIGS, 1 and3E ) to achieve a tilt angle α,FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view ofbeam 210 without thefasteners 230.Beam 210 has a top-hat shaped cross-section formed of two J-shaped side walls extending downward perpendicularly from the top surface ofbeam 210. - Referring to
FIG. 3C ,rail 220 has a recessedtop surface 270 extending the length of therail 220.Rail 220 also includes an opening orhole 275 in which a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attachrail 220 tobeam 210.FIG. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of arail 220 having atop mounting structure 272,side plates 274 extending downward perpendicularly from the sides of thetop mounting structure 272 andbase plates 276 extending outward perpendicularly from the bottom ofside plates 274. -
Beams 210 in turn may be attached to and supported by tilt tables 320, which may be tilted at an angle α for achieving maximum total energy output for a given installation. The tilt tables 320 are mounted to supportcolumns 310 as shown inFIG. 1 .FIG. 3E is a side view of a tilt table 320. Tilt table 320 includes a lower supportingportion 350 and an upper mountingportion 360 which can be tilted at installation. Lower supportingportion 350 has one or more openings orholes 370 configured for a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment to pass through to attach to a support column 310 (FIG. 1 ). Tilt table 320 can be adjusted to a predetermined angle relative to the ground or any other support surface by tightening the fastener passing throughhole 370 at the predetermined angle. Tilt table 320 also has an opening orhole 390 at a corner of lower supportingportion 350 in which a fastener, such as a bolt., screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attach tilt table 320 tobeams 210. Tilt table 320 can optionally have aconnector 380 extending upward, perpendicularly from an end of upper mountingportion 360.Connector 380 has an opening orhole 381 configured for a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment to pass through to secure the tilt table 320 to abeam 210 as shown inFIG. 1 , - The support columns, tilt tables, beams and rails can be made of a metal material, such as, galvanized steel or aluminum, or any other suitable material. The
support structure 200 can be prefabricated and preassembled off-site, thereby reducing on-site field labor costs and simplifying the installation process. Preferably, thesupport structure 200 is collapsible in the manner described above for easier transport to the installation site. The installation site preferably includes supportingcolumns 310 mounted into a support surface and tilt tables 320 attached to thesupport columns 310 as shown inFIG. 1 . To install thesupport structure 200 when in the configuration shown inFIG. 2A , thebeams 210 ofsupport structure 200 are attached to the tilt tables 320 as described above. Thesupport structure 200 can be mounted to other mounting surfaces such as building rods or sides instead of to tilt tables 320. - Referring to
FIG. 2A ,rail 220 is prefabricated withslider clips PV modules 100. The distance between the centers of each pair of adjacent slider clips 240, 250 and 260 on arail 220 is approximately 25.50 inches. The bottom surfaces of slider clips 240, 250 and 260 fit securely within the recessed area 270 (FIG. 3C ) ofrail 220. Atop slider clip 240 is mounted at the top ofrail 220 and abottom slider clip 260 is mounted at the bottom ofrail 220. Mounted between the top 240 and bottom 260 slider clips onrail 220 are one or more mid slider clips 250. The slider clips 240, 250 and 260 are prefabricated and preassembled on thesupport structure 200 off-site. Even thoughFIG. 2A shows that amid slider clip 250 is mounted near every intersection ofrail 220 andbeam 210, it should be appreciated that amid slider clip 250 can be mounted away from the intersection and multiple mid slider clips can be mounted onrail 220 between each pair ofbeams 210 depending on the dimensions and number ofPV modules 100 to be installed along therail 220. -
PV modules 100 can be mounted on arail 220 using two adjacent pairs of preinstalled top 240 and mid 250 slider clips, two adjacent pairs of mid 250 and bottom 260 slider clips, or two adjacent pairs of mid 250 slider clips. Alternatively,PV modules 100 can be mounted on arail 220 having only top 240 and bottom 260 slider clips, As explained in greater detail below,PV module 100 is mounted on therail 220 by first sliding an edge portion of one end of themodule 100 into, for example, atop slider clip 240. Next, thePV module 100 is laid down on therail 220, Finally, the opposite edge of themodule 100 is slid into the slider clip adjacent to thetop slider clip 240, which can be amid slider clip 250 or abottom slider clip 260. Once all of thePV modules 100 are mounted,small gaps adjacent PV modulus 100 as shown in FIG. -
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a topslider clip assembly 240 in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Topslider clip assembly 240 has a PV module (solar panel) holdingclement 489 extending from one end of asupport area 487. Topslider clip assembly 240 components include a S-shapedclip frame 400, aclip insert 420 and afastening clement 450 for attaching the topslider clip assembly 240 to arail 220.Clip frame 400 is preferably made of stainless steel or other corrosion resistant metals or hard materials.Clip insert 420 serves as an insulating material for aPV module 100 and operates to hold an edge portion ofPV module 100 in place on arail 220.Fastening element 450 attaches theclip assembly 240 torail 220. - Top
slider clip frame 400 is illustrated in more detail inFIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective, view ofclip frame 400 andFIG. 5B illustrates a side view ofclip frame 400.Clip frame 400 is formed as an integral structure, The integral structure ofclip frame 400 has a flatbottom extension 501 with an opening or hole in which afastener 450, such as a bolt, screw, nul, rivet or other means or attachment can pass through to attachassembly 240 torail 220. In this example embodiment,fastener 450 is a 0.25-20 socketbead cap bolt 451. Other elements such as awasher 452 and agasket 453 may also be included in thefastening clement 450. Thebolt 451 is preferably torqued to a minimum of 11.3 Nm (100 in-lbs) during pre-fabrication of thesupport structure 200. Unlike the conventional systems of mounting a PV module, the tightening of the slider clips can be performed prior to arriving at the insulation site, thus, simplifying the on-site installation, especially of large-scale PV systems installations. - As shown in
FIG. 5B , anemboss layer 506 may cover at least a portion of the top surface ofbottom extension 501. Avertical sidewall 503 of the S-shapedclip frame 400 connects thebottom extension 501 and atop extension 502.Top extension 502 extends fromsidewall 503 in the opposite direction from thebottom extension 501. Protruding from the top surface oftop extension 502 are at least two angled structures such as, for example,tiger teeth 504, for holding theclip insert 420 in place with theclip frame 400. In this example embodiment, thebottom extension 501 is approximately one inch long and two inches wide and thetop extension 502 is approximately 1.25 inches long and two inches wide. Thevertical sidewall 503 is preferably about 0.85 inch tall. Thetop extension 502 andsidewall 503 forms an angle β equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 84.1 degrees. The angle of thetiger teeth 504 in conjunction with the angle β of thetop extension 502 operate to hold theclip insert 420 in place with theclip frame 400. -
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the topslider clip insert 420.Clip insert 420 has a flatmiddle section 600 that sits directly under thebottom extension 501 ofclip frame 400. Extending from one end of themiddle section 600 is a C-shapedholding element 610 for holding an edge portion ofPV module 100. At the other end oJ themiddle section 600 is acurved tail section 650.Clip insert 420 is preferably made of fire resistant silicone rubber, for example, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber. It should be appreciated that other types of rubber and insulating material may be used provided that the hardness of the material used preferably has a shore A durometer of between 50 and 70. - The C-shaped
holding element 610 has a substantiallyflat bottom section 611, atop section 612 and avertical barrier 613 connecting thebottom section 611 and thetop section 612 to form a channel for holding an edge portion ofPV module 100. Thevertical barrier 613 is preferably 0.73 inch tall. The bottom surface oftop section 612 and the top surface ofbottom section 611 are preferably surfaces which resist PV module movement, In this example embodiment, the surfaces are at least partially covered withangled teeth 615, which preferably run the width ofsections teeth 615 are angled towards thebarrier 613 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold thePV module 100 in place betweensections PV module 100 will be installed at a tilt angle, its weight and the friction caused by the EPDM rubber also help to frictionally retain thePV module 100 in place. - As shown in.
FIGS. 4A and 4B ,clip insert 420 is integrally connected to clipframe 400. In this example embodiment, the C-shaped holding element 610 (FIG. 6A ) of clip insert. 420 fits snuggly within the area formed by thetop extension 502 and the sidewall 503 (FIG. 5B ) ofclip frame 400. Referring toFIG. 6B , thetop section 612 ofclip insert 420 includes a curved element such as, for example, ahook clement 616, that is designed to engage with thetiger teeth 504 on thetop extension 502 of theclip frame 400. Adhesives and other fastening means can be optionally added to secure theclip insert 420 to theclip frame 400. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a bottomslider clip assembly 260 in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Bottomslider clip assembly 260 shares similar features to topslider clip assembly 240.Clip assembly 260 has it PV module (solar panel) holdingelement 789 extending from one end of asupport area 787.Clip assembly 260 components include a S-shapedclip frame 700, aclip insert 720 andfastening element 750 for attaching the bottomslider clip assembly 260 to arail 220. Someclip assembly 260 components that are identical to clip assembly 240 components such as, for example, fasteningclement 750 are not described below. The differences betweenclip assemblies - Bottom
slider clip frame 700 is illustrated in more detail inFIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view ofclip frame 700 andFIG. 8B illustrates a side view ofclip frame 700.Clip frame 700 is preferably made of the same material asclip frame 400.Clip frame 700 is formed as an integral structure. Similar to clipframe 400, the integral structure ofclip frame 700 has a flatbottom extension 801 that extends from one end ofsidewall 803. Thebottom extension 801 has an opening or hole in which a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attachassembly 260 torail 220. The top 802 and bottom 801 extensions of the bottomslider clip frame 700 are preferably shorter than the top 502 and bottom 501 extensions of the top slider-clip frame 400. In this embodiment, thebottom extension 801 is approximately 0.81 inch long and two inches wide and thetop extension 802 is approximately 0.48 inch long and two inches wide.Emboss layer 806 optionally covers at least a portion of the top surface ofbottom extension 801 as shown inFIG. 8B . Thetop extension 802 andsidewall 803 forms an angle p equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 80.0 degrees.Protruding tiger teeth 804 located on the top surface oftop extension 802 serves the same function astiger teeth 504 ofclip frame 400. -
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the bottom slider clip insert. 720.Clip insert 720 is preferably made of the same material asclip insert 420. Similar to clipinsert 420,clip insert 720 has a flatmiddle section 900 that sits directly under thebottom extension 801 ofclip frame 700. Extending from one end of themiddle section 900 is a C-shapedholding element 910 for holding an edge portion ofPV module 100. At the other end of themiddle section 900 is acurved tail section 950. - The C-shaped
holding element 910 has a substantiallyflat bottom section 911, atop section 912 and avertical barrier 913 connecting thebottom section 911 with thetop section 912 to form a channel for frictionally holding an edge portion ofPV module 100. Thevertical barrier 913 is preferably 0.73 inch tall. Thebottom section 911 is preferably shorter than thebottom section 611. The bottom surface oftop section 912 and the top surface ofbottom section 911 are preferably resistant to PV module movement. The surfaces, for example, may be partially covered withangled teeth 915. Theteeth 915 preferably run the width and length ofsections barrier 913 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold an edge portion ofPV module 100 in place betweensections - As shown in
FIG. 7A , clip insert. 720 is integrally connected to clipframe 700. In this example embodiment, the C-shapedholding element 910 ofclip insert 720 fits snuggly within the area formed by thetop extension 802 and thesidewall 803 ofclip frame 700. Thetop section 912 ofclip insert 720 includes a curved element such as, for example, ahook element 916 that is designed to engage with thetiger teeth 804 on thetop extension 802 of theclip frame 700. - Having described example embodiments of the top
slider clip assembly 240 and the bottomslider clip assembly 260, an example embodiment of the midslider clip assembly 250 is now described.FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of an example embodiment of midslider clip assembly 250. Midslider clip assembly 250 has two PVmodule holding elements common support area 1087 for frictionally holding an edge portion of aPV module 100.Holding element 1088 is similar to holdingelement 489 ofclip assembly 240.Holding element 1089 is similar to holdingelement 789 ofclip assembly 260. Midslider clip assembly 250 components include aclip frame 1000, a clip insert. 1020 andfastening element 1050 for attaching the midslider clip assembly 250 torail 220.Fastening element 1050 is similar tofastening elements assemblies -
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the midslider clip frame 1000.Clip frame 1000 is formed as an integral structure. The integral structure ofclip frame 1000 is essentially the combination of the topslider clip frame 400 and the bottomslider clip frame 700 having acommon bottom extension 1001. Similar to clipframes common bottom extension 1001 has an opening or hole in which a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nut, rivet or other means of attachment can pass through to attachassembly 250 torail 220.Emboss layer 1106 covers at least a portion of the top surface of thecommon bottom extension 1001. In this example embodiment, thecommon bottom extension 1001 has identical dimensions to thebottom extension 801 ofclip frame 700. However, it should be understood that thecommon bottom extension 1001 can also have the same dimensions as thebottom extension 501 ofclip frame 400. It should be appreciated that the width of thecommon bottom extension 1001 is preferably the same asextensions common bottom extension 1001 can be any arbitrary length. - Extending perpendicularly from one end of the
common bottom extension 1001 is sidewall 1503 and from the other end issidewall 1803. Thevertical sidewalls Sidewall 1503 has atop extension 1502 that extends perpendicularly from the top ofsidewall 1503 and away from thecommon bottom extension 1001. Similarly,sidewall 1803 has atop extension 1802 that extends perpendicularly from the top ofsidewall 1803 and away from thecommon bottom extension 1001. Thetop extension 1802 is preferably shorter than thetop extension 1502. Thecommon bottom extension 1001, thesidewall 1503 and thetop extension 1502 together form a S-shaped clip frame similar to the S-shaped topslider clip frame 400. Likewise, thecommon bottom extension 1001, thesidewall 1803 and thetop extension 1802 together form a S-shaped clip frame similar to the S-shaped bottomslider clip frame 700. The top surfaces oftop extensions tiger teeth Clip frame 1000 is preferably made of the same material as clip frames 400 and 700. - As shown in
FIG. 11B , thetop extension 1502 andsidewall 1503 form an angle β equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 84.1 degrees. Likewise, thetop extension 1802 andsidewall 1803 form an angle ρ equal to or less than 90 degrees, preferably 80.0 degrees. The difference in angle β from angle ρ results in the height from thecommon bottom extension 1001 to the outer tip of thetop extension 1502 to be relatively equal to the height from thecommon bottom extension 1001 to the outer tip of thetop extension 1802. In this example embodiment, this height is roughly 0.69 inches. -
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of the midslider clip insert 1020.Clip insert 1020 is preferably made of the same material as clip inserts 420 and 720. Similar to the clip inserts 420 and 720,clip insert 1020 has a flatmiddle section 1200 that sits directly under thecommon bottom extension 1001 ofclip frame 1000. However, unlike the other clip inserts 420 and 720, the midslider clip insert 1020 does not have a tail section. Rather, extending from one end of themiddle section 1200 is a C-shaped holdingclement 1261 and from the other end of themiddle section 1200 is a C-shapedholding element 1291.Clip insert 1020 is designed to frictionally hold the edges of two PV modules 100-one in each of the C-shapedholding elements - Similar to the C-shaped
holding element 610 of the topslider clip insert 420, the C-shapedholding element 1261 has a substantiallyflat bottom section 1211, atop section 1212 and avertical barrier 1213 connecting thebottom section 1211 with thetop section 1212 to form a channel for frictionally holding an edge portion of aPV module 100. The bottom surface oftop section 1212 and the top surface ofbottom section 1211 are resistant to PV module movement. In this example embodiment, the surfaces are at least partially covered withangled teeth 1215. Theteeth 1215 preferably run the width ofsections barrier 1213 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold an edge portion ofPV module 100 in place betweensections holding element 1291 is like the C-shapedholding element 910 of the bottomslider clip insert 720. C-shapedholding element 1291 has a substantiallyflat bottom section 1221, atop section 1222 and avertical barrier 1223 connecting thebottom section 1221 with thetop section 1222 to form a channel for frictionally holding an edge portion of PV module 1 00. The bottom surface oftop section 1222 and the top surface ofbottom section 1221 arc surfaces which resist PV module movement. In this example embodiment, the surfaces are at least partially covered withangled teeth 1225. Theteeth 1225 preferably run the width and length ofsections barrier 1223 such that the counteracting teeth operate to hold an edge portion ofPV module 100 in place betweensections bottom section 1221 is shorter than thebottom section 1211 similar to the difference in length between thebottom sections top section 1222 is shorter than thetop section 1212. Thus, the C-shapedholding element 1291 will be referred to as the short end of the midslider clip assembly 250 while the C-shaped holding element. 1261 will be referred to as the long end of the midslider clip assembly 250.Clip assembly 240 has only a long end (i.e., holding element 610) whileclip assembly 260 has only a short end (i.e., holding element 910). - As shown in
FIG. 10A ,clip insert 1020 is integrally connected toclip frame 1000. In this example embodiment, thecommon bottom extension 1001 ofclip frame 1000 is attached to the top surface ofmiddle section 1200 and the C-shapedholding elements top extension 1502 andsidewall 1503 and the top extension 1 802 andsidewall 1803. Similar to the designs of thetop sections top sections hook elements respective tiger teeth - The mid
slider clip assembly 250 is mounted onrail 220 such that its short end faces the PVmodule holding element 489 of the topslider clip assembly 240. The long end of midslider clip assembly 250 then faces the PVmodule holding element 789 of the bottomslider clip assembly 260. Alternatively, it should be understood that the midslider clip assembly 250 can be mounted onrail 220 in the opposite direction such that its long end faces towards the top ofrail 220 and its short end faces the bottom ofrail 220. However, in this alternative embodiment, the location of theslider clip assemblies clip assembly 240 is now mounted on the bottom end ofrail 220 and theclip assembly 260 is now mounted on the top end ofrail 220. The significance of the mounting direction forclip assemblies FIG. 13 below. -
FIG. 13 illustrates a method for installing a plurality of PV structures on theprefabricated support structure 200 described above.FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate in process flow a method for installing a single PV structure on the support structure using top and mid slider clip assemblies in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Although the steps below arc described with respect to thePV module 100, it should be understood that the process applies to any kind of PV structure including the framed PV structure described below in connection withFIG. 16 . - At
step 1300, theprefabricated support structure 200 having preassembled slider clips is setup at an installation site. Once the support structure is setup, thePV modules 100 are mounted on the module rails 220 usingslider clips PV module 100 is selected for installing on thesupport structure 200 atstep 1310. Atstep 1320 and illustrated inFIG. 14A , one end of the selectedPV module 100 is slid into the long end of a clip assembly, such as, for example, C-shapedholding element 610 of the topslider clip assembly 240. ThePV module 100 has to be slid far enough insection 610 such that atstep 1330, thePV module 100 can be laid flat onrail 220 as shown inFIG. 14B . Atstep 1340 and illustrated in F1G. 14C, the other end of thePV module 100 is then slid into the short end of an adjacent slider clip assembly, such as, for example, C-shapedholding element 1291 of midslider clip assembly 250. ThePV module 100 is thus frictionally held in place by the slider clips holding it. Atstep 1350, a determination is made as to whether allPV modules 100 have been installed. The process ends if allPV modules 100 have been mounted. Otherwise, the process returns to step 1310 for the selection of the next PV module to install onrail 220. - It should be understood that regardless of the pair of adjacent slider clips used for installing a
PV module 100, an edge of thePV module 100 is slid into the slider clip with the longer clip frame and clip insert before the opposite edge of thePV module 100 is slid into the other slider clip with the shorter clip frame and clip insert. The lengths of the clip holding elements and the distance between the mounting locations of adjacent clip assemblies on arail 220 are designed to simplify the installation process and to hold an edge portion ofPV module 100. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of framedPV modules 100 supported by acommon carrier structure 1500 in accordance with another disclosed embodiment. Thecarrier structure 1500 is a lightweight, cartridge-like PV module carrier structure that provides structural support, contains and supports an array ofPV modules 1520a-h and enables their electrical connections. Thecarrier 1500 is approximately two inches thick and made of either synthetic or natural structural material, including, but not limited, to aluminum, rolled steel, or other metals and plastics. ThePV modules 1520a-h (1520g is not shown) are each held in place by being snapped, clipped, or otherwise securely seated in a recessed area such as 1510g. ThePV modules 1520a-h are preferably mounted in thecarrier structure 1500 before transporting them to an installation site, so all that needs to be done at the installation site is to mount thecarrier structure 1500 to a support structure. Although an array of eightPV modules 1520a-h is shown inFIG. 15 , it is understood that any number or arrangement of solar panels could be mounted on and supported by acarrier structure 1500. A pre-wired common bus or cable system for transmitting harvested solar electricity may be integral to thecarrier structure 1500. -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of asupport structure 1620 of a mounting system that can be used to install thecarrier structure 1500. The mounting system can be constructed by installing thesupport structure 1620 comprising a plurality of parallel spacedbeams 1610 mounted to support columns via tilt tables similar to those illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B . Like the mountingsystem 300 described above, parallel spacedrails 1600 are mounted perpendicularly tobeams 1610 usingfasteners 1630.Prefabricated slider clips rails 1600. It should be understood that slider clips 1640, 1650 and 1660 have substantially the same overall design as slider clips 240, 250 and 260, respectively. Slider clips 1640, 1650 and 1660 each frictionally hold an edge portion of thecarrier structure 1500, which contains an array ofPV modules 100 rather than asingle PV module 100. Since thecarrier structure 1500 is typically thicker and heavier than a frameless PV module,slider clips carrier structure 1500. Accordingly, eachslider clip sidewalls barriers slider clip 1640, 1 650 and 1660 optionally has a clip insert with a respectively longer C-shaped holding element so as to compensate for the wider andheavier carrier structure 1500. - It should be understood that the process of installing, the
carrier structure 1500 on thepreassembled support structure 1620 is similar to the process of installing thePV module 100 on thesupport structure 200. Given that thecarrier structure 1500 is generally longer, wider and heavier than a frameless PV module, in this example embodiment and as shown inFIG. 16 , thecarrier structure 1500 is inserted into four adjacent pairs of slider clips. For example, thecarrier structure 1500 would be inserted into the long ends of four mid slider clip assemblies 1650a-d before being inserted into the short end of four adjacent midslider clip assemblies 1650c-h. The slider clips are mounted on thebeams 1610 such that a slider clip frictionally holds thecarrier structure 1500 at approximately the center of each solar panel as shown inFIG. 16 . Even though the embodiment is described with a set of eight slider slips holding acarrier structure 1500 having a 4 by 2 array of solar panels, it should be appreciated that, any number of slider clips can be used depending on the size and arrangement of the carrier structure. -
FIG. 17A illustrates amodule rail 1700 with an integrated slider clip in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to rail 220,rail 1700 has atop plate 1710,side plates 1720 extending downward perpendicularly from the sides oftop plate 1710 andbase plates 1730 extending outward perpendicularly from the bottom ofside plates 1720.Rail 1700 is also integrated with atop slider clip 1740, amid slider clip 1750 and abottom slider clip 1760.FIG. 17B illustrates an end view ofrail 1700 at the cross section A-A'. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that slider clips 1740, 1750 and 1760 operate similarly toslider clip assemblies slider clip assemblies rail 220 and mounted to rail 220 using fasteners,slider clips rail 1700. Slider clips 1740, 1750 and 1760 can be manufactured using punch forming, press forming, or any other suitable metal forming technique. The clips can be formed into the material that forms the rail concurrent with or subsequent to forming the rail itself. A resilient material can optionally be added to the inside surfaces of the clips to engage with an edge portion of a PV structure. Optionally, a clip insert made of a resilient rubber, for example, EPDM rubber, can be attached to the inside surfaces of the clips as shown inFIG. 17C for themid slider clip 1750 to hold the edge portion of a PV structure. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that rail 1700 can be used in a photovoltaic structure mounting system such is mountingsystem 300 by replacingrail 220 andclip assemblies rail 1700. It should also be readily appreciated that the process of installing aPV module 100 on a mounting system using the clip integratedrail 1700 is similar to the installation process described inFIG. 13 in connection with thesupport structure 200. Furthermore, the process of installing acarrier structure 1500 on a mounting system using the clip integratedrail 1700 is similar to the installation process described above in connection with thesupport structure 1620. - Disclosed embodiments substantially reduce labor costs associated with the fabrication of PV mounting systems and reduce the time required for on-site mounting of PV modules. The slider clips used in the disclosed PV mounting systems can be fully tightened to a prefabricated module rail or other surface in a controlled environment and shipped to an installation site for installation of the PV modules. Large numbers of PV modules can be mounted quickly on the support structure using the disclosed slider clips.
- While the invention has been described in detail in connection with embodiments known at the time, it should be readily understood that the claimed invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, the embodiments can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described. For example, while the disclosed embodiments of the slider clips are described in connection with module rails, beams, tilt tables and support columns, the embodiments can be mounted on other support surfaces or structures and other connecting means besides fasteners can be used to attach these embodiments to the support surfaces and structures. Furthermore, while the disclosed embodiments of the mounting system are described In connection with framed or frameless PV modules, the disclosed slider clips can be modified to support any dimension and type of PV structures including partially framed, foldable and flexible PV modules.
Claims (15)
- A clip (240) for holding at least one photovoltaic structure (100) to a support structure (200), said clip (240) comprising:a clip frame (400) having a bottom extension (501) for securing the clip (240) to the support structure (200), a top extension (502) for holding the at least one photovoltaic structure (100) to the support structure (200), and a sidewall (503) connecting one end of the bottom extension (501) to one end of the top extension (502); anda c-shaped holding element (610) having a bottom section (611), a top section (612), and a vertical barrier (613) abutting the sidewall (503) and connecting the bottom section (611) and the top section (612) to form a channel for holding an edge portion of the photovoltaic structure (100),wherein the top extension (502) comprises a top surface and at least two protruding angled structures (504) located on the top surface and configured to cooperate with the respective c-shaped holding element (610) to hold the c-shaped holding element (610) in place with the clip frame (400).
- The clip (240) of claim 1, further comprising a second clip frame sharing a common bottom extension (1001) with the clip (240) of claim 1 and a second holding element (1089), wherein each holding element extends in opposite directions from said common bottom extension (1001), the length of one of said holding elements being greater than the length of the other of said holding elements, the first and second clip frames and the first and second holding elements together forming a second clip.
- A support rail (220) for holding a photovoltaic structure (100), comprising:an integral structure (400) having a rectangular top surface formed with the clip of claim 2 for holding an edge of the photovoltaic structure (100).
- The support rail (220) of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the integral structure (400) is formed with at least one other third clip, the at least one other third clip comprising a holding element of the same length as the longer of the pair of extending holding elements of the second clip or a third clip having an holding element of the same length as the shorter of the pair of holding elements of the second clip, said second and third clips for holding the photovoltaic structure (100) to the support rail.
- A method of manufacturing a support structure (200) for holding a photovoltaic structure (100), said method comprising:forming a clip (240) as in claim 1 for holding an edge portion of the photovoltaic structure (100), comprising:forming a clip frame (400) having a bottom extension (501) for securing the clip (240) to a support structure (200), a top extension (502) for holding the at least one photovoltaic structure (100) to the support structure (200), and a sidewall (503) connecting one end of the bottom extension (501) to one end of the top extension (502); andforming a c-shaped holding element (610) having a bottom section (611), a top section (612), and a vertical barrier (613) abutting the sidewall (503) and connecting the bottom section (611) and the top section (612) to form a channel for holding an edge portion of the photovoltaic structure (100), wherein the top extension comprises a top surface and at least two protruding angled structures (504) located on the top surface and configured to cooperate with the respective c-shaped holding element to hold the c-shaped holding element (610) in place with the clip frame (400).
- The method of claim 5, further comprising forming a rail (220) having a recessed top surface for mounting the clip (240) in the recessed top surface.
- The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising integrally forming the clip (240) on a rail.
- A product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clip frame (400) is formed from a metal material.
- A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein a resilient material is added to inside surfaces of the holding elements for engaging with the photovoltaic structure (100).
- A photovoltaic structure mounting system (300), comprising:a plurality of beams (210) spaced apart;a plurality of rails (220) spaced apart and attached to the beams (210); andat least one pair of first and second clips for holding a photovoltaic structure (100), wherein at least one of said first and second clips is the clip (240) of claim 1.
- The system (300) as in claim 10, further comprising a common bottom extension (1001) for integrating a first clip and a second clip on opposite sides of the common bottom extension (1001).
- The system (300) of claim 10 or 11, further comprising at least one tilt table (320) attached to a support surface and to at least one of the beams (210).
- The system (300) of claim 12, wherein the tilt table (320) is capable of being adjusted to a predetermined angle.
- The system (300) of claim 10 to 13, wherein the rails (220) are pivotally connected to a plurality of beams (210).
- The system (300) of claim 14, wherein the beams (210) are moveable to a relative position adjacent to each other such that the rails (220) are moved from a first orientation approximately perpendicular to the beams (210) to a second orientation substantially oblique to the beams (210).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/846,365 US8418983B2 (en) | 2010-07-29 | 2010-07-29 | Slider clip and photovoltaic structure mounting system |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2413063A2 EP2413063A2 (en) | 2012-02-01 |
EP2413063A3 EP2413063A3 (en) | 2015-10-21 |
EP2413063B1 true EP2413063B1 (en) | 2018-10-31 |
Family
ID=43755794
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10190007.4A Active EP2413063B1 (en) | 2010-07-29 | 2010-11-04 | Slider clip and photovolatic structure mounting system |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (7) | US8418983B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2413063B1 (en) |
CN (4) | CN202816965U (en) |
AU (1) | AU2010235919B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2717691C (en) |
TR (1) | TR201820623T4 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI469719B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012138313A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US12003206B2 (en) | 2021-08-24 | 2024-06-04 | Ironridge, Inc. | Rail-based solar panel mounting system |
Families Citing this family (119)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10277159B2 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2019-04-30 | Kbfx Llc | Finished multi-sensor units |
US9831817B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2017-11-28 | Elie Rothschild | Solar panel mounting base and system for solar panel installation |
US8240109B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2012-08-14 | Northern States Metals Company | Support system for solar panels |
US8316590B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2012-11-27 | Northern States Metals Company | Support system for solar panels |
US8256169B2 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2012-09-04 | Northern States Metals Company | Support system for solar panels |
FR2945609B1 (en) * | 2009-05-12 | 2013-03-29 | Avancis Gmbh & Co Kg | FIXING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING SOLAR MODULES. |
EP2282655A4 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2013-07-24 | First Solar Inc | Photovoltaic module ground mount |
DE102009060498A1 (en) * | 2009-12-23 | 2011-06-30 | Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co. KG, 71088 | Device for fixing panel-like mats |
JP5113859B2 (en) * | 2010-02-02 | 2013-01-09 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Fixed member |
US10054336B2 (en) | 2010-03-03 | 2018-08-21 | Robert M. M. Haddock | Photovoltaic module mounting assembly |
US9144310B2 (en) * | 2010-06-29 | 2015-09-29 | Ofs Brands Inc. | Apparatus for connecting modular office furniture components |
JP5501125B2 (en) * | 2010-07-06 | 2014-05-21 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Fixed member |
US8418983B2 (en) * | 2010-07-29 | 2013-04-16 | First Solar, Inc. | Slider clip and photovoltaic structure mounting system |
WO2012018360A1 (en) | 2010-08-06 | 2012-02-09 | First Solar, Inc. | Folding mount for photovoltaic modules |
JP5693120B2 (en) * | 2010-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | 旭有機材工業株式会社 | Base plate |
US9316416B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2016-04-19 | Gottlieb Binder Gmbh & Co. Kg | Panel arrangement with clamping clip |
US20120152326A1 (en) * | 2010-12-13 | 2012-06-21 | John Raymond West | Discrete Attachment Point Apparatus and System for Photovoltaic Arrays |
US8827232B2 (en) | 2011-01-13 | 2014-09-09 | Quick-Sling, Llc | Support apparatus |
US9226575B2 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2016-01-05 | Quick-Sling, Llc | Support apparatus |
US9010553B2 (en) | 2011-01-13 | 2015-04-21 | Quick-Sling, Llc | Support apparatus |
US8839573B2 (en) | 2011-02-11 | 2014-09-23 | Northern States Metals Company | Spring clip |
US9611652B2 (en) | 2011-02-25 | 2017-04-04 | Dustin M. M. Haddock | Mounting device for building surfaces having elongated mounting slot |
DE102011115474A1 (en) * | 2011-10-03 | 2013-04-04 | Machtwissen.De Ag | Devices for optimizing the efficiency, protection and operational stabilization of solar modules under the influence of environmental influences |
US9160273B2 (en) * | 2011-07-08 | 2015-10-13 | Unirac, Inc. | Universal end clamp |
CN102332481B (en) * | 2011-07-30 | 2013-10-30 | 常州天合光能有限公司 | Installing method and structure of solar photovoltaic module |
DE102011111449B4 (en) * | 2011-08-30 | 2014-07-17 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Clamping connection for fastening plate-shaped components, in particular of solar modules |
US10008974B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2018-06-26 | Pv Solutions, Llc | Mounting system for photovoltaic arrays |
US11022343B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2021-06-01 | Pv Solutions, Llc | Mounting system for photovoltaic arrays |
WO2013033687A1 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2013-03-07 | Rtetta Holdings, Llc | System for tracking and allocating renewable energy contributions to a modular renewable energy system |
EP2568230A1 (en) * | 2011-09-07 | 2013-03-13 | Photowatt International | Frame profile for photovoltaic solar installation and photovoltaic solar installation provided with said frame profile |
US9698724B2 (en) | 2011-12-13 | 2017-07-04 | Solarcity Corporation | Connecting components for photovoltaic arrays |
US20130146549A1 (en) * | 2011-12-13 | 2013-06-13 | Superior Solar Systems, LLC | Solar panel assembly kit and method of assembly |
US9647157B2 (en) | 2011-12-13 | 2017-05-09 | Solarcity Corporation | Discrete attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays |
US20130168525A1 (en) | 2011-12-29 | 2013-07-04 | Dustin M.M. Haddock | Mounting device for nail strip panels |
CA2763058C (en) * | 2012-01-05 | 2014-10-14 | Cascadia Windows Ltd. | Thermally insulative spacer and methods involving use of same |
JP5963463B2 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2016-08-03 | シャープ株式会社 | Solar cell module installation structure, solar cell module installation method, solar cell module installation bar, and solar power generation system |
WO2013119555A2 (en) * | 2012-02-06 | 2013-08-15 | First Solar, Inc. | Mounting clamp and mounting clamp configuration for photovoltaic module installation |
US8567154B2 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2013-10-29 | Johns Manville | Apparatus and methods for mounting a photovoltaic module on a roof |
US8640402B1 (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2014-02-04 | Henry H. Bilge | Building roof fascia, coping and/or solar panel connector arrangement |
FR2989154A1 (en) * | 2012-04-10 | 2013-10-11 | Ciel Et Terre | METHOD FOR FIXING A PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL |
DE102012209272A1 (en) * | 2012-06-01 | 2013-12-05 | Hilti Aktiengesellschaft | Fixing device for solar panels |
US9087947B2 (en) | 2012-06-15 | 2015-07-21 | Kanzo, Inc. | Clamp for mounting solar modules |
US9316417B2 (en) * | 2012-06-29 | 2016-04-19 | Sunpower Corporation | Framing system for mounting solar collecting devices |
JP6150498B2 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2017-06-21 | 大都技研株式会社 | Solar panel mount |
US20140069500A1 (en) * | 2012-09-10 | 2014-03-13 | Primestar Solar, Inc. | Support structure for photovoltaic module mounting and methods of its use |
CN102856404B (en) * | 2012-10-09 | 2016-03-23 | 英利能源(中国)有限公司 | Erecting device and wall-hanging solar battery component |
CN103780197A (en) * | 2012-10-23 | 2014-05-07 | 富昱能源科技(昆山)有限公司 | Solar module support assembly |
US9249995B2 (en) * | 2012-12-06 | 2016-02-02 | Goal Zero Llc | Solar panel positioning system |
KR20140082900A (en) * | 2012-12-24 | 2014-07-03 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Apparatus for photovoltaic power generation |
CN103075015A (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2013-05-01 | 江卫青 | Overall installation method of photoelectric components |
CA2802269C (en) * | 2013-01-15 | 2020-09-01 | Gabe Coscarella | Method of installing elongate bodies in a building |
WO2014113399A2 (en) * | 2013-01-15 | 2014-07-24 | Global Solar Energy, Inc. | Mounting structures for photovoltaic cells |
US9662231B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2017-05-30 | Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. | Polymer scaffolds having enhanced axial fatigue properties |
EP2972006B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2020-02-12 | RMH Tech LLC | Slide fit mounting clip for installing photovoltaic modules |
US9303663B2 (en) | 2013-04-11 | 2016-04-05 | Northern States Metals Company | Locking rail alignment system |
CN103268894B (en) * | 2013-04-15 | 2015-10-21 | 李支柱 | A kind of drop height type component installation being applicable to solar power system |
CN104154458A (en) * | 2013-05-13 | 2014-11-19 | 欧普照明股份有限公司 | Lamp |
US20150040965A1 (en) * | 2013-08-12 | 2015-02-12 | Zep Solar Llc | Ground Mount Structure With Mounting Assemblies And Central Quick-Mount Rail |
JP2015063445A (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2015-04-09 | セントラル硝子株式会社 | Lead free glass and sealing material |
US9021767B1 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-05-05 | Ply Gem Industries, Inc. | Apparatus and kit for stone veneer panel installation |
US9249579B2 (en) | 2013-12-18 | 2016-02-02 | Ply Gem Industries, Inc. | Kit for stone veneer panel installation |
US20150184896A1 (en) * | 2014-01-02 | 2015-07-02 | RI Enterprises, LLC | Solar panel support apparatus |
GB2516710B (en) * | 2014-02-19 | 2016-09-28 | Gingers Spark Ltd | Mounting assembly |
NL2012450B1 (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2016-01-08 | Zonnepanelenparkstad | Clamping means for fastening flat components especially frameless solar modules. |
US10088098B2 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2018-10-02 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Lattice mounting device |
JP6333088B2 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2018-05-30 | 株式会社Lixil | Solar panel mount |
US9548598B2 (en) * | 2014-07-24 | 2017-01-17 | Cooper Technologies Company | Cable management fitting |
CA2907509C (en) * | 2014-10-17 | 2023-04-11 | Manish Nayar | Attachment system and nut for solar panel racking system |
US9660570B2 (en) * | 2014-10-20 | 2017-05-23 | Pegasus Solar Inc. | Clamps for securing solar energy panels |
US10113769B2 (en) | 2014-10-30 | 2018-10-30 | Quick-Sling, Llc | Wall mount bracket for outdoor equipment |
US9444396B2 (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2016-09-13 | Sunrail Co., Ltd. | Solar photovoltaic power generation panel mount |
WO2016123357A2 (en) | 2015-01-28 | 2016-08-04 | Pv Solutions, Llc | Integrated electrical and mechanical photovoltaic array interconnection system |
KR101701431B1 (en) * | 2015-03-24 | 2017-02-03 | 아이솔라에너지 주식회사 | Panel for installing solar cell modules |
DE202015002312U1 (en) * | 2015-03-26 | 2015-04-08 | Solarworld Ag | Ramenprofilleiste for solar cell laminates, framed solar module and mounting system for solar modules |
US20160338273A1 (en) * | 2015-05-19 | 2016-11-24 | Waterpulse, Inc | Watering assembly |
WO2016200393A1 (en) * | 2015-06-11 | 2016-12-15 | Elie Rothschild | Solar panel mounting base and system for solar panel installation |
CN104980094B (en) * | 2015-07-01 | 2017-09-05 | 江苏晨科新能源有限公司 | Solar bracket guide rail and its fixture block used cooperatively, middle briquetting and side pressing block |
US10938337B1 (en) | 2015-09-26 | 2021-03-02 | Thomas E. Carleton | System for guidance and deployment of active panels on building walls |
AU2016343293B2 (en) * | 2015-10-20 | 2022-02-03 | Systems Pty Ltd | A portable frame for supporting a solar panel |
US9923512B2 (en) * | 2016-01-06 | 2018-03-20 | Hubbell Incorporated | Clamps for frameless solar modules |
ITUB20160839A1 (en) * | 2016-02-18 | 2017-08-18 | Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl | COMPLETE TURBOMACCHINE MODULE WITH SECONDARY REFRIGERATORS FOR THE TURBINE INTER-REFRIGERATOR |
US10187004B2 (en) * | 2016-04-13 | 2019-01-22 | Elie Rothschild | Slide-on spring clip for installing solar panels and method of use |
US10256768B2 (en) * | 2016-04-25 | 2019-04-09 | Cmco Solar, Llc | Photovoltaic array mounting structure |
US10443896B2 (en) | 2016-07-29 | 2019-10-15 | Rmh Tech Llc | Trapezoidal rib mounting bracket with flexible legs |
US9874006B1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-01-23 | Inhabit Solar, Llc | Modular roof mounting system |
WO2018081722A1 (en) | 2016-10-31 | 2018-05-03 | Haddock Dustin M M | Metal panel electrical bonding clip |
DE102018001170A1 (en) * | 2017-02-24 | 2018-08-30 | Erhan Dinçer | Connection system for intersecting profiles with adjustable connecting elements, solar system, open space system, roof, carport with the system of lifting and sliding technology |
CN107219862B (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2020-12-29 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Control method of photovoltaic extension system |
US9893677B1 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2018-02-13 | Sunmodo Corporation | Bottom clamp for mounting solar panels to roofs |
CN109428540A (en) | 2017-08-30 | 2019-03-05 | 国基电子(上海)有限公司 | Photovoltaic mould group mounting kit and its application method |
TWI633748B (en) * | 2017-09-01 | 2018-08-21 | 鴻海精密工業股份有限公司 | Installation assesmbly for photovoltaic module and method of using the same |
AU2018348090B2 (en) | 2017-10-09 | 2021-11-18 | Rmh Tech Llc | Rail assembly with invertible side-mount adapter for direct and indirect mounting applications |
MY195098A (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2023-01-10 | First Solar Inc | Frame Assemblies And Photovoltaic Devices Including The Same |
USD848362S1 (en) | 2017-12-04 | 2019-05-14 | First Solar, Inc. | Photovoltaic device |
SG11202009126TA (en) | 2018-03-21 | 2020-10-29 | Rmh Tech Llc | Pv module mounting assembly with clamp/standoff arrangement |
US11223318B2 (en) | 2018-03-30 | 2022-01-11 | Sunpower Corporation | Integrated external connectors |
USD903478S1 (en) | 2018-08-13 | 2020-12-01 | Eldorado Stone Operations, Llc | Positioning clip |
IT201800010146A1 (en) * | 2018-11-08 | 2020-05-08 | Enel Green Power Spa | SYSTEM FOR INSTALLING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS |
US11271518B2 (en) | 2018-11-08 | 2022-03-08 | OMCO Solar, LLC | Mounting bracket for mounting photovoltaic modules to torque tube beam |
AU2019397167B2 (en) | 2018-12-14 | 2023-04-06 | Rmh Tech Llc | Mounting device for nail strip panels |
WO2020223012A1 (en) | 2019-04-30 | 2020-11-05 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Coupling system for mounting tiles to a building |
USD962048S1 (en) | 2019-04-30 | 2022-08-30 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Coupling device for mounting tiles to a building |
US11402058B2 (en) | 2019-05-14 | 2022-08-02 | Field Energy Ops, Inc. | Boltless module support structures and boltless module attachment method |
US10868490B1 (en) * | 2019-08-01 | 2020-12-15 | Nextracker Inc. | Adjustable clip assembly for solar modules |
CN110337961A (en) * | 2019-08-20 | 2019-10-18 | 厦门农丰园大棚开发有限公司 | A kind of photovoltaic agricultural greenhouse |
EP4034720A4 (en) | 2019-09-23 | 2023-10-25 | Ecofasten Solar, LLC | Roof attachment system and apparatus |
US11258397B2 (en) * | 2020-02-11 | 2022-02-22 | Ap Alternatives, Llc | Solar module mounting system |
US11811358B2 (en) | 2020-02-11 | 2023-11-07 | Apa Solar, Llc | Solar module mounting system |
EP4121610A4 (en) | 2020-03-16 | 2024-03-27 | RMH Tech LLC | Mounting device for a metal roof |
US11041310B1 (en) | 2020-03-17 | 2021-06-22 | Rmh Tech Llc | Mounting device for controlling uplift of a metal roof |
US11674537B2 (en) * | 2020-06-17 | 2023-06-13 | Nextracker Llc | Clip for mounting a solar module to a rail system |
US11542702B2 (en) | 2020-06-25 | 2023-01-03 | Advanced Architectural Products, Llc | Adjustable support system for a building structure and a wall structure having an adjustable support system |
US11566421B2 (en) | 2020-06-25 | 2023-01-31 | Advanced Architectural Products, Llc | Adjustable support system for a building structure and a wall structure having an adjustable support system |
TWI740617B (en) * | 2020-08-19 | 2021-09-21 | 智崴資訊科技股份有限公司 | Curved display module |
USD996964S1 (en) * | 2020-10-30 | 2023-08-29 | Joshua George SINGH | Clip |
IT202100001178A1 (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2022-07-22 | Comau Spa | "PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM" |
US20240056025A1 (en) * | 2022-08-10 | 2024-02-15 | Freedom Forever LLC | Multifunction spacer-wire clips for solar panels and related methods |
CN115740970B (en) * | 2022-11-15 | 2024-03-12 | 苏州万拓机电设备有限公司 | Corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant photovoltaic bracket and processing and assembling process thereof |
CN117399932B (en) * | 2023-12-14 | 2024-02-23 | 徐州顺泰新能源发电有限公司 | Photovoltaic board batchization automatic installation equipment |
Family Cites Families (113)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2880481A (en) * | 1953-11-05 | 1959-04-07 | Marsh Wall Products Inc | Wallboard fastening means |
US4114595A (en) | 1977-07-06 | 1978-09-19 | Harold Reed Barker | Solar energy collector and glazing system |
US4269173A (en) | 1978-04-27 | 1981-05-26 | Libbey-Owens-Ford Company | System for mounting solar collector panels |
US4452027A (en) | 1981-09-28 | 1984-06-05 | Whitehead & Kales Company | Panel clip |
US4463533A (en) * | 1982-06-24 | 1984-08-07 | Mullet Willis J | Sheet material roofing panel |
US4644717A (en) * | 1985-03-08 | 1987-02-24 | Butler Manufacturing Co. | Curtain wall valve system |
US5076035A (en) | 1990-09-26 | 1991-12-31 | Wright John T | Channel assembly for mounting building panels |
US5287675A (en) * | 1991-10-07 | 1994-02-22 | Porta-Fab Corporation | Wall stud assembly |
US5735100A (en) | 1996-10-07 | 1998-04-07 | 527233 B.C. Ltd. | Folding telescopic prefabricated framing units for non-load-bearing walls |
JP3183281B2 (en) * | 1999-03-26 | 2001-07-09 | ニチハ株式会社 | Construction metal fittings, construction structure, and construction method for exterior wall panels for vertical tension |
US6360491B1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2002-03-26 | Stanley A. Ullman | Roof support system for a solar panel |
AU2002301823B2 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2006-09-14 | Erling, Peter S. | Framing systems for solar panels |
US6536558B2 (en) | 2001-02-16 | 2003-03-25 | Harold E. Price | Folding ladder |
AU2008200493B2 (en) | 2001-07-20 | 2010-06-03 | Unirac, Inc. | A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a surface |
US7434362B2 (en) | 2001-07-20 | 2008-10-14 | Unirac, Inc. | System for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a surface |
US6617507B2 (en) | 2001-11-16 | 2003-09-09 | First Solar, Llc | Photovoltaic array |
EP1449262B1 (en) | 2001-11-16 | 2012-10-03 | First Solar, Inc | Photovoltaic array |
US6988344B1 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2006-01-24 | Concord Industrial Corp. | Modular wall structural elements, and methods of using same |
US7600349B2 (en) | 2003-02-26 | 2009-10-13 | Unirac, Inc. | Low profile mounting system |
EP1614163A2 (en) | 2003-04-16 | 2006-01-11 | BP Corporation North America Inc. | Installing a solar panel on a roof |
US6959517B2 (en) | 2003-05-09 | 2005-11-01 | First Solar, Llc | Photovoltaic panel mounting bracket |
US7406800B2 (en) | 2004-05-18 | 2008-08-05 | Andalay Solar, Inc. | Mounting system for a solar panel |
WO2006010261A1 (en) | 2004-07-27 | 2006-02-02 | Ats Automation Tooling Systems Inc. | Solar panel overlay and solar panel overlay assembly |
DE202004019681U1 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2005-03-17 | Heisterkamp Norbert | Solar roof structure for solar energy has a sheet with trapezoidal corrugations, flutes and valleys as well as support padding to relieve pressure and absorb vibration |
WO2006072230A1 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2006-07-13 | Conergy Ag | Threaded slider mounting system |
GB0502120D0 (en) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-03-09 | Powertile Ltd | Solar tile assemblies |
DE102005028830A1 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2006-12-28 | Würth Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG | Roofing and method therefor |
DE602005014394D1 (en) | 2005-06-16 | 2009-06-18 | Vkr Holding As | SOLAR PANEL |
AU2005203398A1 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2007-02-22 | Laddaloc Pty Ltd | Collapsible ladder |
JP2007107345A (en) | 2005-10-17 | 2007-04-26 | Nippon Tetsupan Kk | Enclosure structure for photovoltaic power generation |
AU2006303235A1 (en) | 2005-10-21 | 2007-04-26 | Systaic Ag | Solar power system with a number of photovoltaic modules |
JP4684874B2 (en) | 2005-12-13 | 2011-05-18 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Solar cell module frame |
DE102006009412A1 (en) | 2006-02-23 | 2007-08-30 | Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg | Solar modular system has self-supporting support structure, support profile with lateral inserted profile for laterally adding an additional support profile or connecting profile or terminal profile and heat dissipation structure |
US20080035140A1 (en) | 2006-05-26 | 2008-02-14 | Bp Corporation North America Inc. | Solar Roof Tile |
US7677071B2 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2010-03-16 | Bh Legacy, Llc | Apparatus for the fabrication of metal wall frame members and assembly of wall frames therefrom, and foldable wall frame structures |
JP2010500495A (en) | 2006-08-09 | 2010-01-07 | サンパワー コーポレイション | PV module mounting and support assembly and mounting method thereof |
DE102006044418B3 (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-12-06 | Solon AG für Solartechnik | Lightweight photo-voltaic system for harnessing solar energy, is composed of modules locked together in a plate to be secured to a substrate by anchor cables |
EP1947402A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 | 2008-07-23 | Aplisun Develop, S.L. | Support frame for solar panels |
JP4108724B1 (en) | 2007-02-23 | 2008-06-25 | シャープ株式会社 | Structure installation stand |
EP2135321B1 (en) | 2007-04-06 | 2017-08-02 | SolarCity Corporation | Method and apparatus for forming and mounting a photovoltaic array |
DE202007006021U1 (en) | 2007-04-19 | 2007-07-19 | Conergy Ag | Connectable mounting rail (base rail) |
FR2915230B1 (en) | 2007-04-20 | 2012-09-07 | Imphy Alloys | BATI SUPPORT OF A PANEL SUCH AS A PHOTOELECTRIC PANEL AND EXTERIOR WALL OF A BUILDING COMPRISING SUCH WALLS |
US8671639B2 (en) | 2007-05-08 | 2014-03-18 | Tectusol, Inc. | Roof panel for roofing system and roof structure |
JP4290750B2 (en) | 2007-06-11 | 2009-07-08 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Solar cell module fixing structure, solar cell module frame and fixing member |
DE202007008659U1 (en) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-08-23 | Solarmarkt Ag | Solar module mounting system |
CN101981388A (en) | 2007-06-19 | 2011-02-23 | Bp北美公司 | Solar module with a frame for mounting a solar panel |
WO2009033547A1 (en) | 2007-09-07 | 2009-03-19 | Energetico Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sub-structure for open-space solar power plants |
US8813460B2 (en) | 2007-09-21 | 2014-08-26 | Andalay Solar, Inc. | Mounting system for solar panels |
JP2009164434A (en) | 2008-01-08 | 2009-07-23 | Sharp Corp | Solar cell module |
NL2001200C2 (en) | 2008-01-18 | 2009-07-21 | Walraven Holding Bv J Van | Mounting for solar panels. |
PT2541622E (en) | 2008-02-02 | 2016-03-01 | Renolit Belgium Nv | Photovoltaic modules |
DE102008010712B4 (en) | 2008-02-21 | 2012-03-08 | Solon Se | Photovoltaic module with wind suction protection for flat roofs |
CN201197123Y (en) | 2008-05-16 | 2009-02-18 | 洪金春 | Solar plate support structure |
AU2009101302B4 (en) | 2008-05-16 | 2010-07-15 | Kerryj Investment Pty Ltd | Mounting system |
WO2009143162A1 (en) | 2008-05-19 | 2009-11-26 | Powermount Systems Inc. | Photovoltaic mounting system with locking connectors, adjustable rail height and hinge lock |
AU2009258999A1 (en) | 2008-06-14 | 2009-12-17 | Schopf, John Michael | Panel clamps for fences and barriers |
JP4616369B2 (en) | 2008-06-17 | 2011-01-19 | シャープ株式会社 | Solar cell module |
US8220210B2 (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2012-07-17 | Sunpower Corporation | Photovoltaic module and module arrays |
US20090320908A1 (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2009-12-31 | Sunpower Corp. | Photovoltaic module with drainage frame |
DE202008009241U1 (en) | 2008-07-10 | 2009-11-26 | Rehau Ag + Co | Retaining profile and sealing profile for plate-shaped modules |
WO2010007256A2 (en) | 2008-07-14 | 2010-01-21 | Api New Energy | Assembly composed of at least one photovoltaic panel and at least one support structure |
FR2934618B1 (en) | 2008-07-31 | 2016-07-01 | Qualitelec | ROOF COVER ELEMENT FIXING DEVICE |
WO2010019749A2 (en) | 2008-08-13 | 2010-02-18 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Method for installing a solar array incorporating hotovoltaic panels having keying structures |
WO2010024154A1 (en) | 2008-08-29 | 2010-03-04 | シャープ株式会社 | Solar cell module attaching structure, and solar cell device |
DE202008017629U1 (en) | 2008-09-03 | 2010-04-22 | Sapa Gmbh | Solar module frame with water drain |
US8677701B2 (en) | 2008-09-25 | 2014-03-25 | The Boeing Company | Attaching solar collectors to a structural framework utilizing a flexible clip |
EP2327941A1 (en) | 2008-09-26 | 2011-06-01 | Lahora Cruz, Jorge Agustin | Modular structure for carrying solar panels |
DE102008051249A1 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2010-04-29 | Sunfilm Ag | Photovoltaic system, photovoltaic module and method for equipping a photovoltaic system |
WO2010045514A2 (en) | 2008-10-17 | 2010-04-22 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | An anchor having three-dimensional freedom of motion for mounting a framework element to a structure |
DE102008055937B4 (en) | 2008-11-05 | 2014-05-22 | Christoph Schmidt | Solar module mounting system with at least two support rails, a photovoltaic module and at least one clamping piece and method for mounting a solar module mounting system |
US20120090176A1 (en) | 2008-11-06 | 2012-04-19 | Robert Stancel | Tensioned mounting of solar panels |
WO2010054617A2 (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2010-05-20 | Heintzmann Sicherheitssysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg | Solar module supporting structure |
DE202008015017U1 (en) * | 2008-11-12 | 2009-01-15 | SGGT Straßenausstattungen GmbH | Solar module support structure |
EP2187147A1 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2010-05-19 | Energiebüro AG | Roof structure with an arrangement of solar panels |
CN201374339Y (en) | 2008-11-20 | 2009-12-30 | 福建钧石能源有限公司 | Solar cell-mounting clamp module |
US20100218441A1 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2010-09-02 | Robert Stancel | Wind Uplift Resistant Module Mounting System |
DE202008016000U1 (en) | 2008-11-28 | 2009-03-05 | Haticon Ag | Shared roof hooks |
US20100193012A1 (en) | 2008-12-02 | 2010-08-05 | First Solar, Inc. | Non-Corrosive Photovoltaic Panel Mounting Bracket |
EP2224185A1 (en) | 2008-12-05 | 2010-09-01 | Climasol-Solaranlagen GmbH | Clamp connection (form closure) |
AU2009245849A1 (en) | 2008-12-08 | 2010-06-24 | Stratco (Australia) Pty Limited | Solar module mounting system and various components thereof |
JP4637231B2 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2011-02-23 | シャープ株式会社 | Solar cell module installation stand |
WO2010082355A1 (en) | 2009-01-19 | 2010-07-22 | 高島株式会社 | Solar cell fixing device |
DE202009000916U1 (en) | 2009-01-22 | 2009-04-30 | Mounting Systems Gmbh | Fastening device for framed solar modules |
DE202009001098U1 (en) | 2009-01-27 | 2009-04-30 | Mounting Systems Gmbh | Solar module mounting |
PT104408A (en) | 2009-02-06 | 2010-08-06 | Modeling Project Sarl | UNIVERSAL SEALING SYSTEM FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS |
AU2010200545A1 (en) | 2009-02-13 | 2010-09-02 | Preformed Line Products (Australia) Pty Ltd | A system, apparatus and method for securing solar panels to a supporting structure |
US9057544B2 (en) * | 2009-02-20 | 2015-06-16 | Elie Rothschild | Solar panel mounting system |
CN201373608Y (en) | 2009-02-24 | 2009-12-30 | 潘戈 | Connecting device used between unit bodies in large solar thermal collector |
FR2942827B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2011-05-06 | Michel Yermakoff | SEALED SURFACE STRUCTURE COVERED WITH SOLAR PANELS, WITHOUT FRAME. |
FR2942828B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2011-04-01 | Michel Yermakoff | SEALED SURFACE STRUCTURE COVERED WITH SOLAR PANELS, WITH FRAME. |
US8316590B2 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2012-11-27 | Northern States Metals Company | Support system for solar panels |
US8240109B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2012-08-14 | Northern States Metals Company | Support system for solar panels |
US8256169B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2012-09-04 | Northern States Metals Company | Support system for solar panels |
WO2010111383A2 (en) | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-30 | Jenkins Robert L | Photovoltaic systems, methods for installing photovoltaic systems, and kits for installing photovoltaic systems |
EP2620720A1 (en) | 2009-03-27 | 2013-07-31 | Energiebüro AG | Clip for forming a stop element on a surface |
JP4465406B1 (en) | 2009-04-16 | 2010-05-19 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Connecting member |
CN102354717B (en) | 2009-04-29 | 2014-03-19 | 无锡尚德太阳能电力有限公司 | Solar module mounting system |
DE102009019548A1 (en) | 2009-04-30 | 2010-11-04 | Wilhelm Ötting Kunststoffverformung GmbH & Co. KG | Assembling module for assembling solar collector at e.g. flat roof of house, has fastening devices displaced at holding rail and fixed in desired position, where holding rails are attached at upper side of columns |
JP4365450B1 (en) | 2009-05-01 | 2009-11-18 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Solar cell module fixing structure, solar cell module frame and fixing member |
JP5202430B2 (en) | 2009-05-11 | 2013-06-05 | 株式会社屋根技術研究所 | Solar cell module fixing structure |
NL1037010C2 (en) | 2009-06-03 | 2010-12-08 | Ecofys Netherlands B V | A method of mounting a multitude of devices for hanessing solar energy, a positioning body for use in said method, a clamp guiding body, and a prefab roof element. |
EP2282655A4 (en) | 2009-06-05 | 2013-07-24 | First Solar Inc | Photovoltaic module ground mount |
EP2449598B1 (en) | 2009-07-02 | 2018-05-30 | SolarCity Corporation | Array of photovoltaic modules interlocked together |
CN101626037B (en) | 2009-07-03 | 2012-05-30 | 伍文享 | Mounting system device of solar panel frame |
KR100990117B1 (en) | 2009-07-07 | 2010-10-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Solar cell panel |
EP2404126B1 (en) | 2009-07-16 | 2013-09-25 | Iscom S.p.A. | Mounting section for solar panels |
WO2011013391A1 (en) | 2009-07-28 | 2011-02-03 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Solar cell module |
DE202009010487U1 (en) | 2009-08-03 | 2009-12-10 | Schletter Gmbh | End clamp for mounting framed PV modules |
DE202009011549U1 (en) | 2009-08-25 | 2009-12-31 | Fleck, Olaf | Mounting system for solar modules |
CN101826562B (en) | 2009-09-07 | 2012-09-26 | 英利能源(中国)有限公司 | Mounting member for solar panels |
DE202010005003U1 (en) | 2010-04-14 | 2010-07-22 | Elektrotechnik Muffler Gmbh | Profile for holding solar panels |
US8418983B2 (en) | 2010-07-29 | 2013-04-16 | First Solar, Inc. | Slider clip and photovoltaic structure mounting system |
AU2011100128A4 (en) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-03-10 | Guangquan Wu | A solar panel mounting bracket |
-
2010
- 2010-07-29 US US12/846,365 patent/US8418983B2/en active Active
- 2010-10-12 WO PCT/US2010/052329 patent/WO2012138313A2/en active Application Filing
- 2010-10-15 CA CA2717691A patent/CA2717691C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-10-20 AU AU2010235919A patent/AU2010235919B2/en active Active
- 2010-10-28 TW TW99137052A patent/TWI469719B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-11-04 EP EP10190007.4A patent/EP2413063B1/en active Active
- 2010-11-04 TR TR2018/20623T patent/TR201820623T4/en unknown
- 2010-11-12 CN CN2012201401975U patent/CN202816965U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2010-11-12 CN CN201320002061.2U patent/CN203398125U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2010-11-12 CN CN201010548581.4A patent/CN102347386B/en active Active
- 2010-11-12 CN CN2010206097370U patent/CN202307921U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2010-12-02 US US12/959,100 patent/US8413312B2/en active Active
- 2010-12-02 US US12/959,213 patent/US8418984B2/en active Active
- 2010-12-02 US US12/959,139 patent/US8407895B2/en active Active
- 2010-12-02 US US12/959,228 patent/US8413946B2/en active Active
-
2013
- 2013-03-11 US US13/794,013 patent/US8894033B2/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-10-22 US US14/520,999 patent/US9551510B2/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US12003206B2 (en) | 2021-08-24 | 2024-06-04 | Ironridge, Inc. | Rail-based solar panel mounting system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8418984B2 (en) | 2013-04-16 |
CN202307921U (en) | 2012-07-04 |
EP2413063A3 (en) | 2015-10-21 |
CA2717691A1 (en) | 2012-01-29 |
US8413946B2 (en) | 2013-04-09 |
WO2012138313A2 (en) | 2012-10-11 |
TR201820623T4 (en) | 2019-01-21 |
CN202816965U (en) | 2013-03-20 |
US20110072631A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20150041610A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 |
CN203398125U (en) | 2014-01-15 |
US9551510B2 (en) | 2017-01-24 |
US8407895B2 (en) | 2013-04-02 |
US20110078892A1 (en) | 2011-04-07 |
TWI469719B (en) | 2015-01-11 |
US8418983B2 (en) | 2013-04-16 |
TW201206319A (en) | 2012-02-01 |
US20110073733A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
EP2413063A2 (en) | 2012-02-01 |
AU2010235919B2 (en) | 2016-04-21 |
US20110068244A1 (en) | 2011-03-24 |
CN102347386B (en) | 2016-09-28 |
US20130193297A1 (en) | 2013-08-01 |
US20110079694A1 (en) | 2011-04-07 |
AU2010235919A1 (en) | 2012-02-16 |
WO2012138313A3 (en) | 2013-01-03 |
CN102347386A (en) | 2012-02-08 |
CA2717691C (en) | 2014-08-19 |
US8894033B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 |
US8413312B2 (en) | 2013-04-09 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2413063B1 (en) | Slider clip and photovolatic structure mounting system | |
US8919075B2 (en) | Unitized photovoltaic assembly | |
US8667748B2 (en) | Photovoltaic module ground mount | |
US8240109B2 (en) | Support system for solar panels | |
US9660567B2 (en) | System for mounting and supporting photovoltaic modules | |
US9316417B2 (en) | Framing system for mounting solar collecting devices | |
US20120272613A1 (en) | Support system for solar panels | |
WO2010124529A1 (en) | Pv module frame, pv module and installation system thereof | |
JP5365937B2 (en) | Solar panel mounting device | |
CN203537301U (en) | Solar equipment installing system on flat roof | |
US20230030508A1 (en) | Photovoltaic module support system | |
JP2009293374A (en) | Structure for mounting solar cell module onto folded plate roof |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: F24J 2/52 20060101AFI20150915BHEP |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20160421 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20170706 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602010054715 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: F24J0002520000 Ipc: F24S0025632000 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H02S 20/23 20140101ALI20180413BHEP Ipc: F24S 25/632 20180101AFI20180413BHEP |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20180518 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1059868 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20181115 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602010054715 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20181031 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1059868 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20181031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190131 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190228 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190131 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190301 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190201 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181104 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602010054715 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20181130 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181130 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181130 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20190131 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20190801 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181104 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181130 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181104 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181031 Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20101104 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181031 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230518 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Payment date: 20231024 Year of fee payment: 14 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20231127 Year of fee payment: 14 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20231129 Year of fee payment: 14 |